Why eastern border violence around Nuevo Laredo is increasing

On the heels of my previous post about the increased violence in Tamaulipas and warnings issued by the U.S. Consulate in Monterrey, here’s the cause:

AP: Conflict has disrupted “the Company” -the union between the Zetas and the Gulf Cartel- and is raising questions of whether the tenuous peace under the duopoly is gone for good.

According to Will Glaspy, head of the DEA office in McAllen, Texas, in January a member of the Zetas was killed in Reynosa – Gulf DTO territory- and the Zetas demanded the Gulf Cartel hand over the men responsible.The Gulf Cartel refused to do so after which the violence escalated.

In Mexican border cities stretching from Matamoros near the Gulf to Nuevo Laredo, gunfire has been heard almost daily, and at least 49 people were killed in drug war-related violence in less than six weeks.

Eight journalists were kidnapped in Reynosa between Feb. 18 and March 3, according to the Inter-American Press Association. One was found dead with signs of torture. Two were released alive and five are still missing.

U.S. warns Americans to avoid Nuevo Laredo

A.P. via the L.A. Times: The violence in Tamaulipas state has reached alarming levels with 19 dead over the course of three days. Tamaulipas includes Nuevo Laredo which is right across the border from Laredo, TX. The violence has gotten bad enough that the U.S. Consulate in Monterrey has warned American citizens to avoid traveling there.

Here’s hoping our loved ones in Laredo stay safe!