Law Enforcement Addresses Acuña Violence

Del Rio News-Herald

Local, state and federal law enforcement officers say they are aware of recent violence in Ciudad Acuña, Coah., Mexico, and are prepared should it cross over.

Del Rio Police Department Chief Arnaldo Ramos stressed that very little of the information about the violence in Mexico can be confirmed directly by law enforcement officials on this side of the Rio Grande.

“What we know – and, again, it hasn’t been confirmed - is that the drug wars between the cartels and the military and the group called the Los Zetas in Mexico have been (going on) all along the border, and now, from what I understand, it’s hitting in Acuña. It’s here,” Ramos said in an interview with the Del Rio News-Herald Friday.

Ramos said the violence remains confined to Mexico.

“As of right now, the violence is not ‘spilling over.’ Most of everything that’s taking place is taking place in Mexico,” Ramos said.

The police chief, though, said Del Rioans should stay out of Mexico.

“I would not recommend citizens to go to Mexico at this time. Like I said, there’s a lot of rumors that haven’t been confirmed, but we do know . . . that there’s a lot of problems between the military and the drug cartels. They’re fighting for the turf, the land. There’s been a lot of murders, abductions, so I wouldn’t recommend anybody from Del Rio or Texas to travel to Mexico unless it’s necessary, and if they do go, to use precaution,” Ramos said.

Ramos added, though, that the DRPD and other law enforcement agencies on this side of the Texas-Mexico border are keeping a close eye on the situation in Mexico, both in Ciudad Acuña and elsewhere.

“We are all aware of the situation. The federal government has enhanced its efforts, as far as patrol. Officer safety-wise, they have advised all the agents and officers to wear their (bulletproof) vests, of course, and to be cautious of any activity along the border,” Ramos said.

Val Verde County Sheriff Joe Frank Martinez said he, too, is aware of the unfolding situation in Del Rio’s sister city.

“I understand that they’re having problems in Ciudad Acuña, and although none of those have been confirmed, there is apparently some turmoil,” Martinez said.

As for his recommendations for U.S. citizens traveling to Mexico, Martinez said, “It is my opinion that our citizens need to be advised of the situation in Acuña, and if they have to travel to Acuña, to exercise caution.”

Martinez added, “All local law enforcement agencies have a contingency plan in place to deal with any spillover violence.”

Texas Department of Public Safety and Department of Homeland Security officials said Friday both agencies are ready to assist the local officers.

DPS spokesman Trooper Jose Chavarria said officers have stepped up patrols in known “areas of interest”, but did not say where those areas might be.

“Our department is trying to be more vigilant,” said Chavarria, noting that troopers are also ready to step in and help local law enforcement when called upon. “We are assisting local agencies with any resources we have, such as air support and additional manpower.”

The DPS has a helicopter stationed in Del Rio to provide air support, said Chavarria, adding that to date, he has heard of no requests for additional troopers in the Del Rio area.

Mark Qualia, a spokesman with the United States Border Patrol in Washington D.C., said they, too, are ready to assist on the front lines when needed. Qualia said the interagency assistance is nothing new.

“If you look at the interagency cooperation that’s been going on…we’re already out there backing up local officers,” said Qualia.

DHS has also provided funding opportunities to help local agencies cover overtime pay and equipment for officers.

“We are very much in tune with what’s going on and we are using every asset available to make our communities safer,” said Qualia.

Qualia declined to say whether more agents would be coming to Del Rio because of the recent violence, noting that decision is made based on gathered intelligence and typically is not released to the public.

He also said it would be difficult to gauge if there would be spillover violence.

“When looking at the border as a whole, there really hasn’t been any spillover violence with regards to what the cartels are doing,” said Qualia. “What’s going on in Mexico is nothing new.”

Del Rio Police Department Chief Arnaldo Ramos stressed that very little of the information about the violence in Mexico can be confirmed directly by law enforcement officials on this side of the Rio Grande.

“What we know – and, again, it hasn’t been confirmed - is that the drug wars between the cartels and the military and the group called the Los Zetas in Mexico have been (going on) all along the border, and now, from what I understand, it’s hitting in Acuña. It’s here,” Ramos said in an interview with the Del Rio News-Herald Friday.

Ramos said the violence remains confined to Mexico.

“As of right now, the violence is not ‘spilling over.’ Most of everything that’s taking place is taking place in Mexico,” Ramos said.

The police chief, though, said Del Rioans should stay out of Mexico.

“I would not recommend citizens to go to Mexico at this time. Like I said, there’s a lot of rumors that haven’t been confirmed, but we do know . . . that there’s a lot of problems between the military and the drug cartels. They’re fighting for the turf, the land. There’s been a lot of murders, abductions, so I wouldn’t recommend anybody from Del Rio or Texas to travel to Mexico unless it’s necessary, and if they do go, to use precaution,” Ramos said.

Ramos added, though, that the DRPD and other law enforcement agencies on this side of the Texas-Mexico border are keeping a close eye on the situation in Mexico, both in Ciudad Acuña and elsewhere.

“We are all aware of the situation. The federal government has enhanced its efforts, as far as patrol. Officer safety-wise, they have advised all the agents and officers to wear their (bulletproof) vests, of course, and to be cautious of any activity along the border,” Ramos said.

Val Verde County Sheriff Joe Frank Martinez said he, too, is aware of the unfolding situation in Del Rio’s sister city.

“I understand that they’re having problems in Ciudad Acuña, and although none of those have been confirmed, there is apparently some turmoil,” Martinez said.

As for his recommendations for U.S. citizens traveling to Mexico, Martinez said, “It is my opinion that our citizens need to be advised of the situation in Acuña, and if they have to travel to Acuña, to exercise caution.”

Martinez added, “All local law enforcement agencies have a contingency plan in place to deal with any spillover violence.”

Texas Department of Public Safety and Department of Homeland Security officials said Friday both agencies are ready to assist the local officers.

DPS spokesman Trooper Jose Chavarria said officers have stepped up patrols in known “areas of interest”, but did not say where those areas might be.

“Our department is trying to be more vigilant,” said Chavarria, noting that troopers are also ready to step in and help local law enforcement when called upon. “We are assisting local agencies with any resources we have, such as air support and additional manpower.”

The DPS has a helicopter stationed in Del Rio to provide air support, said Chavarria, adding that to date, he has heard of no requests for additional troopers in the Del Rio area.

Mark Qualia, a spokesman with the United States Border Patrol in Washington D.C., said they, too, are ready to assist on the front lines when needed. Qualia said the interagency assistance is nothing new.

“If you look at the interagency cooperation that’s been going on…we’re already out there backing up local officers,” said Qualia.

DHS has also provided funding opportunities to help local agencies cover overtime pay and equipment for officers.

“We are very much in tune with what’s going on and we are using every asset available to make our communities safer,” said Qualia.

Qualia declined to say whether more agents would be coming to Del Rio because of the recent violence, noting that decision is made based on gathered intelligence and typically is not released to the public.

He also said it would be difficult to gauge if there would be spillover violence.

“When looking at the border as a whole, there really hasn’t been any spillover violence with regards to what the cartels are doing,” said Qualia. “What’s going on in Mexico is nothing new.”