4 Cartel Hitmen Killed Near Camargo, Tamaulipas in Confrontation with Authorities

"HEARST" for Borderland Beat

Note: This story is still developing and initial reports may not be accurate. There is no officially confirmed version of events yet. Story will be updated with information as it comes in. 

On June 9 2021, there was a shooting between state and federal authorities against members of a criminal organization near the US-Mexico border in Tamaulipas. The shooting occurred on Federal Highway 2 in between the towns of Camargo and Valadeces. Between three and four cartel members are said to have died in the confrontation. Three dead cartel members can be seen in photos that allegedly depict the incident. The cartel affiliations of the group is not known at this time. 

Vehicles were blocked from passing and a long traffic line developed as result. Many social media users were advising caution for those traveling in the area and uploading photos of the line of stopped cars waiting to be able to pass. 

#FronteraTamaulipas
Se habla de un enfrentamiento en la Ribereña entre #Camargo y #Valadeces, presumiblemente hay 4 abatidos por las vías del tren.
Cc @GN_MEXICO_ @SSP_GobTam @SEDENAmx pic.twitter.com/yX0hpYoGXo

— VIGILANTE (@vigilantehuaste) June 9, 2021

Early reports say the confrontation may be related to roadblocks created around noon in Ejido Los Cavazos, which is north of Reynosa and nearly a half an hour drive away from the reported shooting location.

There are reports that "ponchallantas", metal tire puncture devices had been set up by a criminal group on the highway Ribereña, which is known as "the highway of the disappeared". It has earned this moniker due to at least 220 cases of people disappearing while traveling on it. It is unconfirmed if the shooting is related to these roadblocks.

Update 6/9/2021 10:00pm CST: More unconfirmed reports that the criminal group was setting up a narcoretén, or cartel checkpoint that requires drivers to pay a fee to pass. It was said to be located where the railroad tracks crossed the road. Additionally, there are claims that the criminal group opened fire upon seeing uniformed security forces approaching their checkpoint.

Update 6/10/2021 7:00am CST: La Posta writes that the confrontation began at 11:00am when members of the State Police were doing routine security patrols and the criminal elements opened fire upon seeing the state police. 

Whereas, Noticias de Tamaulipas which republished Agencía ANTAM news, writes that State Police had just arrested a man for weapon possession. Two armed men were chasing down the State Police vehicle that held the arrested man and were shooting towards them. They report that state police repelled the shots and drove at full speed toward Reynosa. 

Other criminal accomplices set up a blockade on the State police vehicle’s route to Reynosa, near Ejido Cavazos. But more State Police arrived and forced the group who set up the blockades to retreat towards Camargo. The police officers chased after them and caught up with them at the toll booth of the San Juan bridge. The armed men tried to run into a wooded area nearby but two men were gunned down. 

How the Agencía ANTAM version of events where two men died in a wooded area lines up with the photos we have of three dead men on a road is unclear. 

WARNING: Graphic photos below. 

Sources & Photo Credit: El Manana, @codigorojocdmx, @AsesinoZombies, @Vigilantehuaste, @Tamaulipasrtc1

Update Sources: La Tarde, BlogNoticias-MXN, La Posta, Noticias de Tamaulipas