A Bold Daylight Assault in Reynosa
In a shocking display of power, a group linked to the Gulf Cartel ambushed and killed a high-ranking Mexican federal prosecutor in broad daylight on a busy street in Reynosa, Tamaulipas. The attackers, armed with grenades and automatic weapons, executed their plan with precision and escaped without any consequences. This event raises serious questions about the safety and control of the region, despite government claims to the contrary.
The Incident
The incident occurred on a Monday afternoon on Boulevard Hidalgo, a major thoroughfare in Reynosa. The attackers, in a white SUV, intercepted the prosecutor's vehicle, threw a grenade, and opened fire. Simultaneously, other cartel members set up roadblocks and scattered spikes on main avenues to hinder any pursuit.
The prosecutor, Ernesto Cuitláhuac Vazquez Reyna, was the regional delegate for Mexico’s Attorney General’s Office.
Government Response
Following the attack, the Tamaulipas government issued a statement that downplayed the severity of the incident. They mentioned a government official's death on a city street and noted that gunfire was heard, but they avoided any reference to the automatic weapons and grenades used by the cartel. This omission is part of a pattern where authorities seem to underreport the intensity and frequency of cartel violence.
Retaliation Against Authorities
The killing comes after recent federal raids on the Gulf Cartel’s fuel theft and smuggling operations in Reynosa. These operations were under pressure from the U.S. government, and the raids reportedly angered the cartel's leadership. The attack appears to be a retaliation against the Mexican authorities for not upholding an unofficial agreement to protect the cartel's activities.
Deep-Seated Issues
The brazen nature of the attack and the cartel's ability to escape unpunished highlight the deep-seated issues of corruption and impunity in the region. It also underscores the challenges faced by Mexican authorities in their ongoing battle against powerful criminal organizations. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the complex and dangerous dynamics at play in the fight against cartel violence.