The US Issued a Security Alert for Cartel Violence in Tijuana and the Mexicali Valley

"Sol Prendido" for Borderland Beat

All members of the embassy community were asked to avoid the Mexicali area until further notice.

The war between drug cartels caused the security alert issued by the United States Embassy in Mexico (Photo: AP)

Through a security alert, United States authorities urged their citizens to take precautions when traveling to the Mexicali Valley, due to the violence registered by the clashes of drug cartels in Tijuana.

“Travelers should exercise extra caution when traveling in and around Mexicali, the Mexicali Valley and the western part of the state of Sonora due to the possibility of increased violence between rival cartel factions. Members of the embassy community have been warned to avoid the Mexicali area until further notice, ”the US embassy said.

The aforementioned area is in dispute by forces of the Sinaloa Cartel and the Cartel Jalisco Nueva (CJNG). This last group issued a message in early April with threats to intensify the violent wave in Baja California, in open dispute against federal and local authorities.

Workers at the US Embassy in Mexico should not leave until further notice (Photo: Twitter / GHOSTDEVIIL)

The official statement announced that the actions to be taken are the following:

- Remain alert during daylight hours and avoid traveling at night.

- Monitor local news for updates, follow instructions from local officials, and in an emergency, call 911.

- Keep friends and loved ones informed about your whereabouts (by phone, text messages and social networks) and let them know that it is safe, when possible.

- If you are a US citizen traveling or residing in Mexico, you need to enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program to receive safety messages and other travel information.

CJNG hitmen threatened Jaime Bonilla and his security cabinet for their possible links with the Sinaloa Cartel and the Arellano Félix (Video: AVillatv)

It should be remembered that during the first hours of April 1, a video made by the Cartel Jalisco Nueva Generación began to circulate on social networks, in which they challenged Jaime Bonilla Valdez, governor of Baja California, and the members of his cabinet of safety.

In the footage recorded of almost five minutes, at least 14 hit men are observed, wearing balaclavas, bulletproof vests with the letters "CJNG" on their chests and various long weapons.

“This statement is to inform the general population of the state of Baja California that the Cartel Jalisco Nueva Generación is present in their state and wants to let them know that the deaths that are occurring are due to internal corruption within the police corporations of the three levels of government. Being the federal, state and municipal, PGR, FGR, FGE, Baja California State Security and Investigation Guard, Municipal Public Security Secretariat ”, the speech began.

The following day, April 2, the CJNG set fire to an official vehicle of the Baja California State Attorney General's Office in response to a major police intervention in which several arrests have been recorded.

The CJNG has launched a wave of retaliation against the authorities in the first week of April (Photo: Twitter @ Jalisciense1c)

The events occurred in the Zona Centro neighborhood of the Tecate municipality, where the fire was reported of a white Toyota Tacoma truck, license plates AN99525, owned by the government of Baja California (northwest of Mexico). Elements of the Fire Brigade and Municipal Police arrived at the scene, who reported that only the engine area, the tires and the hood were burned.

On April 8, a new attack was registered against the local authorities, because according to local press reports, at least two white pickup trucks were burned with Molotov cocktails, which are attached to the FGR. The events occurred during the night of this April 7 in Tijuana, capital of the entity governed by the Morenista politician Jaime Bonilla.

Two narcomantas were found in the vicinity. The first was very close to the incident, and was aimed at three citizens, who were required to “stop hiding.

The second was found on the so-called Pemex Bridge on the road that runs from Tijuana to Rosarito in the La Gloria neighborhood.

“Daniel Espinoza Alcántara, David Martínez Ortiz, José Isabel Ponce. Don’t be cowards, stop hiding and come to work, just like when you would come out to steal. You sons of fucking bitches! Just look at how we left your patrol units for you. Come out to the fucking confrontation. Sincerely, CJNG”.

Source: Infobae