El Tigre, Matamoros Update: Timeline of Events

"HEARST" for Borderland Beat

New details and specifics about the major shootouts and narco blockades that occurred on October 22, as covered by Sol Prendido in this previous post, have emerged online. These details allow for a more complete picture of the series of events that led to the death of Gulf Cartel leader “El Tigre”, alongside two other hitmen and the death of an innocent female bystander in Matamoros, Tamaulipas.

Previous Attack

Another shootout occurred during the weekend just prior to this most recent event. On October 17, 2021, a convoy of alleged cartel members were spotted by State Police officers while they were in the process of trying to steal a trailer in the 20 de Noviembre neighborhood of Matamoros. 

This led to a gunfight and then a series of chases and further confrontations which ultimately left 4 cartel members dead, 4 cartel members arrested, and 2 police officers were wounded. For further details on the shootout in Matamoros last weekend, please see this previous post.

Timeline of Events

Initial Confrontation

The Tamaulipas Coordination Group reported that the confrontations on the night of October 22, 2021 began when Army soldiers (SEDENA) and state police personnel were patrolling the city of Matamoros and they spotted several suspicious vehicles driving down a street in downtown Matamoros. 

These “suspicious vehicles” were reportedly a group of pickup trucks which had several men on board who were visibly carrying firearms. The Coordination Group reports that the SEDENA soldiers and state police officers asked the vehicles to stop driving and pull over at approximately 9:00 pm. 

However, instead of complying with the request, the armed men in the vehicles reportedly sped away as quickly as they could while several of the men inside fired their weapons back, towards the state police and soldiers. The security forces began to chase after the vehicles, with the initial chase beginning in the downtown area of Matamoros and it progressively moved west. 

Exact details about if the cartel convoy broke off in different directions are unclear. However it is known that there were multiple confrontations at different locations following the initial attack, which may suggest the convoy split up.

Secondary Confrontations 

A shootout is believed to have occurred inside a shopping mall known as Plaza Fiesta, which is located in the south of the city. Members of criminal organizations were seen to be shooting towards members of security forces with the security forces returning fire. 

On social media multiple videos of civilians taking cover, lying flat on the ground at various businesses in the heart of Matamoros have emerged. It is being reported that civilians who were walking on the sidewalks threw themselves to the ground, pulling those close to them down trying to protect their loved ones from the shooting.

Civilians watching a local circus perform, people sitting down for dinner at restaurants, even attendees of movie theatres were all affected by the sound of close gunfire as various shootouts occurred downtown.

In a confrontation in the Pedro Moreno neighborhood, a stray bullet entered the vehicle and fatally injured the passenger of a car full of unrelated civilians. The shot took the life of Sonia Grimaldo, who was the secretary of the Honor and Justice Commission of the Ciudad Victoria City Hall Workers Union. 

She was just one of three people in the civilian vehicle that was hit; all three were work colleagues. José "E" and Gustavo "C" received minor injuries as a result of the same stray bullet that took Sonia’s life. 

Sonia Grimaldo

The vehicle was travelling from the hotel where they were staying to a hall hosting an event for the Ciudad Victoria Union which they were going to attend. Immediately following the attack, Sonia was taken to a hospital for treatment of the gunshot wound however, upon arrival at the hospital she no longer showed vital signs.

These three civilian bystanders were not the only ones to be hurt during Friday’s attack, as near the intersection of Canales and Sexta streets, municipal police attended to an injured minor and an adult whose vehicle window was broken by a stray bullet. The municipal government of Matamoros announced that they responded to nine different incidents during the course of Friday night.

Silver SUV

A few blocks away from the incident in which an unrelated civilian was killed, a silver colored SUV with custom armor plating engaged in a gunfight with SEDENA soldiers. The SEDENA soldiers were successful in disabling the vehicle, resulting in the death of three cartel hitmen inside the vehicle and the wounding of two more hitmen inside.

One of the three men killed is believed to be the Gulf Cartel (Cártel del Golfo, CDG) regional leader Ariel Treviño Peña, alias “El Tigre”.

The identity of El Tigre was later confirmed through DNA tests performed. The test results confirming his identity were announced by Governor of Tamaulipas, Francisco Javier García, known more commonly by his maternal last name “Cabeza de Vaca”. 

The identity of the two other deceased CDG hitmen have not been officially released. The two wounded and arrested CDG hitmen taken from the silver SUV have been identified as Adán "D", 26 years old, and José Miguel "V”, also 26 years old. The State Coordination Group has confirmed that both those arrested and killed are “part of the criminal group known as the Gulf Cartel”.

Video Credit: Nestor Lankenau, thank you to BB commenter Paisa.

Video Credit: Ace Mamut, thank you to BB commenter Paisa.

Video Credit: Giovanna Aguilera, thank you to BB commenter Paisa.

Three hitmen appear to be surrendered but only two were reportedly detained in this particular shootout. This is possibly due to misinformation or a detainee succumbing to a grave injury he sustained.

Narco-Blockades 

In response to hearing of the series of confrontations their were having against members of the military, CDG leaders within Matamoros reportedly ordered that "narco-blockades" be constructed at 15 points at different points across the city. These blockades sought to limit the movement of military and law enforcement authorities within the city and to prevent reinforcements from outside of Matamoros from arriving. 

Hitmen reportedly forcibly commandeered vehicles, large trucks and public transportation buses were especially targeted. These were then parked across lanes of traffic and set on fire, preventing vehicle movement. At other locations CDG hitmen threw metal devices known as “ponchallantas”, or tire puncture devices onto the road.

Blockades were reported in the neighborhoods of La India, Rusias and Carrera Torres, among other locations. Hitmen especially targeted highway access points which connect Matamoros city with Nuevo Progreso and Valle Hermoso, nearby municipalities.

State authorities confirmed officially that they had now brought the city under control at around midnight and announced the two detained hitmen from the aforementioned silver SUV incident.

Results

The final results of Friday night are: 3 deceased armed men (1 of the 3 is El Tigre) and 1 deceased civilian bystander. 4 detained cartel members (2 of 4 detained men are injured). 4 injured civilian bystanders. 3 injured members of security forces. 

The custom armored silver SUV and a secondary armored vehicle were seized by members of law enforcement, along with 4 long barrel firearms (1 of the 4 being a 50 cal Barrett firearm)

Official Statements - The Governor 

The Governor of Tamaulipas, Francisco Javier García, known more commonly by his maternal last name “Cabeza de Vaca” first tweeted out on October 22, 2021, that:

“I have instructed elements of the @SSP_GobTam to concentrate their efforts in #Matamoros to attend to the risk situation and in protection of the citizenry.” Link 

He later tweeted out the Tamaulipas Coordination Table’s official statement. Link Then the next day, after receiving the results of the DNA test done on the deceased man alleged to be El Tigre, he tweeted: 

“Confirmed the identity of Ariel Treviño "El Tigre", one of the aggressors killed in the events of #Matamoros. The @gobtam reiterates it will use all resources at its disposal and will spare no effort in the fight against criminal groups. There will be no truce against the violent.” Link

Official Statements - The US Consulate

On the day of the shooting the US Consulate issued a travel advisory for US citizens in the area of Matamoros which read:  

Location: Matamoros, Mexico, in the vicinity of the following neighborhoods: Buena Vista, San Francisco, Valle Alto, and in the vicinity of Ave Del Nino and Avenido Pedro Cardenas.

Event:  At approximately 9:00 P.M., on Friday, October 22, 2021, gun battles between Mexican security forces and cartel members were reported throughout parts of Matamoros.  U.S. Consulate General Matamoros personnel have been instructed to shelter in place until further notice.

There are reports of cartel blockades throughout the city.  These could lead to additional gun battles in Matamoros.

Actions to Take:

Shelter in place.

Monitor local media for updates.

Avoid crowds.

Keep a low profile.      

Be aware of your surroundings.

Review your personal security plans.

Contact the U.S. Consulate or Embassy if you need assistance. Link 

They later followed up the next day with the following statement: 

Following last night’s clashes between Mexican authorities and criminal armed groups, U.S. consulate officials in Matamoros will restrict their movements to home, work, and U.S. Ports of Entry during daylight hours and shelter in place between 7:00 P.M. and 6:00 A.M. 

The State Department recommends U.S. citizens do not travel to the State of Tamaulipas due to crime and kidnapping.  See here for the full text of our Mexico Travel Advisory. Link

Warning: Graphic photo below this point. 

Photo alleged to show "El Tigre" post mortem. 

Update 10/25/2021: Three new videos added in Silver SUV section. Thank you to BB commenter Paisa.  

Sources: Zeta Tijuana Article 1, Article 2, Milenio, Frontera Al Rojo Vivo Article 1, Article 2, El Mañana Article 1, Article 2, Yucatan Times, Reuters, KRGV, Proceso, El Sol de Mexico Article 1, Article 2, El Financiero

Further Reading: 

Sol Prendido’s Initial Coverage

Last Weekend’s Matamoros Shootouts