(Tony Sifert, Headline USA) Mexican drug cartel violence at the border between the United States and Mexico is getting much worse and much closer, with gang warfare and gunfire erupting near the U.S. Embassy and citizens fleeing the area in terror, according to Fox News.
A gun battle “erupted” last week in the border city of Nuevo Laredo after the arrest of Juan Gerardo Treviño Chavez — AKA “El Huevo” — leader of Cartel Del Noreste, causing the United States to close its embassy, stop southbound traffic, and briefly shut down border crossings.
Un poco más de Nuevo Laredo esta madrugada (otra parte del mismo video) pic.twitter.com/l8RaYiduhW
— Pascal BeltrandelRio (@beltrandelrio) March 14, 2022
“The gunfire erupted late Sunday after the arrest of a leader of one faction of the Northeast Cartel, the successor group to the old Zetas Cartel, Mexico’s most bloodthirsty gang,” Fox reported.
“Suspected cartel members opened fire and hijacked and burned vehicles, apparently in retaliation for the arrest.”
The American consulate was reportedly hit by gunfire during the battle.
“I have raised our grave concerns about these incidents and the safety and security of our employees directly with the government of Mexico,” U.S. Ambassador Ken Salazar told Fox.
“El Heuvo” was turned over to U.S. authorities and will face federal charges for numerous offense, including conspiracy to import marijuana, cocaine, and methamphetamine; the possession of firearms; and money laundering, WKRG Mobile reported.
The violence has caused some American families and diplomatic officials to pull up stakes and leave the country, according to CBS.
The State Department warned American citizens in Nuevo Laredo that they were on their own.
“As of March 15, the Department of State is not able to offer routine consular services from the U.S. Consulate General in Nuevo Laredo,” an official travel advisory read.
“U.S. citizens wishing to depart Nuevo Laredo should monitor local news and announcements and only do so when considered safe during daylight hours.”
