Los Metros vs CDN Battle Leaves At Least 4 Dead in General Bravo, Nuevo León

"HEARST" for Borderland Beat

There was reportedly a battle between members of the Northeast Cartel (Cártel de Noroeste, CDN) and the Gulf Cartel (Cártel del Golfo, CDG) in General Bravo municipality in Nuevo León.

There was reportedly a battle between members of the Northeast Cartel (Cártel de Noroeste, CDN) and the Gulf Cartel (Cártel del Golfo, CDG) in General Bravo municipality in Nuevo León. 

On September 20, 2021, in the general vicinity of El Brasil ranch, near the town of Peña Blanca there was allegedly a skirmish between members of CDN and members of the CDG associated Los Metros faction. This location is near the border between the state of Tamaulipas and Nuevo León. 

Social media users reported that the burned out vehicles at the location, seen above, were narco blockades used to prevent security forces such as police from responding to reports of the battle, presumably to either cover their exit as they fled the area or to give themselves time to grab the dead bodies of their comrades for transport elsewhere.

They also said these blockades were created to prevent the movement of hitmen for El Chaparro of the Los Metros. More information on Los Metro's El Chaparro to follow later in this story.

At 2:26 pm, law enforcement authorities confirmed the presence of a burned trailer on the Peña Blanca - El Brasil bridge in General Bravo municipality, Nuevo León. They also confirmed the discovery of a burned pick up truck obstructing the road. Photos of CDN graffiti tags were also taken at the location, as seen above. 

Law enforcement reports that four dead hitmen were found in the area as well as 6 long barrel firearms, 1 short barrel firearm and ammo.

Through the use of Google Street View of this area we can narrow down the locations of where the burned out pick up truck was located, as well as where the burned out truck was located. The Cártel de Noroeste graffiti can be placed at a specific location as well, giving up three reference points for approximately where this battle occurred or at the very least, where the key roadways were that they wanted to block. 

Just a couple of hours ago, initial reporting was corrected to say that it was actually the Army (SEDENA) who killed the four hitmen, who they allege are all CDG. 

This presents two possibilities, either: (1) the CDG hitmen were killed by the Army after the CDN battle, possibly while they were still in the area grabbing the dead bodies of comrades or (2) there was no CDG vs CDN battle at all and the entire confrontation was actually between SEDENA and CDG.

Possibility 2 seems less likely because of the Google Street View comparisons, as seen above, that place the red Cártel de Noroeste graffiti tag at the location of the narco blockades.  

“El Chaparro”, from the Los Metros faction led by César Morfín Morfín, alias “El Primito”, was believed to be involved on the CDG side of this battle.  In July 2019, multiple cartel news sites were sent an image of a man wearing a blue polo, along with photos of the man lifting his shirt to display his distinctive tattoos. 

The message accompanying these photos went as follows: 

Hello. Good afternoon. Can you publish this? This is the photo of Commander Chaparro, Nuevo León, of the CDG El Primito, who is dedicated to kidnapping, extorting and robbing innocent people. 

We are tired of this plague that happens like Pedro through your house. Nuevo León, Los Aldamas and Dr Coss, please do something authorities. We are tired of this.

In the message, the spanish phrase “como Pedro por su casa” or “like Pedro through your house” is used in the message which means a person who moves with ease in a place that is not his own, usually referring to an intruder whose attitude is considered impertinent. The phrase is thought to originate from the victory of Pedro I of Aragon in Huesca during the Battle of Alcoraz. 

Based on the 2019 message, Chaparro may have had influence or been trying to gain influence in the Nuevo Leon municipalities of Los Aldamas and Dr. Coss. The CDN vs CDG battle happened close to La Frontera Chica (also known as La Ribereña), a border stretch in Tamaulipas which is a lucrative drug corridor currently under dispute by the Metros faction of the CDG and CDN.

The CDN, based in Nuevo Laredo, is trying to expand east into La Frontera Chica, which has historically been controlled by the CDG.

The CDN has tried to make incursions into La Frontera Chica from Nuevo Leon before . It is likely that this shootout in General Bravo may be a result of a CDN cell that was planning to push north into Tamaulipas. This is very similar to a battle that occurred in April 2021 in nearby Los Aldamas, as covered by MX here, also thought to be between CDG and CDN. 

How El Primito’s recent internal struggles, covered here, with other Los Metros leaders El Pezón & El Flaco Sierra affect the ability of the CDG to maintain their territories in La Frontera Chica is currently unknown but over time we may see if El Primito falls or only rises further.

Sources: Las Noticias Televisa Monterrey, Debate, TVR Noticias, Código Rojo, Asesino De Zombies, La Voz de Pueblo, Valor Por Tamaulipas Initial Report, Valor Recent Report  

Chaparro Sources: Castigador Bueno, Codigo Rojo, Valor Por Tamaulipas