The U.S. Consulate in Matamoros, Mexico, has issued an urgent directive for its employees to shelter in place following a surge in gun violence in the city.
The consulate made the announcement via social media, stating, "U.S. Consulate General Matamoros employees are currently under a shelter-in-place order until 1:30PM in Matamoros due to gun violence occurring in the city." The consulate also advised other U.S. citizens in the area to follow suit, recommending, "you shelter in place and stay tuned to local news for updates in your area."
This week, Matamoros was the backdrop for a violent shootout involving Mexican marines. The clash, part of an investigation into kidnapping, resulted in the death of four individuals. However, no marines were reported dead in the incident. Authorities later recovered guns and radios from the scene of the conflict.
Matamoros, situated across the Rio Grande from Brownsville, Texas, has been thrust into the limelight in recent years due to a significant increase in cartel activity and violent crime. This has led to a state of unrest in the city as authorities strive to maintain order and combat organized crime.
The Mexican state of Tamaulipas, where Matamoros is located, is one of six Mexican states that the U.S. State Department has issued a travel warning for, advising against visiting the region due to the heightened risk of violence against Americans.
The U.S. State Department warns, "Do not travel due to crime and kidnapping. Organized crime activity including gun battles, murder, armed robbery, carjacking, kidnapping, forced disappearances, extortion, and sexual assault is common along the northern border and in Ciudad Victoria."
Earlier this year, the city of Matamoros was the scene of the kidnapping of four American citizens. Mexican forces managed to rescue the survivors from a shed where they were being held captive on March 7. Tragically, two of the victims succumbed to gunshot wounds they had sustained prior to their abduction.
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