McALLEN, Texas (Border Report) — The main newspaper in Reynosa, Mexico, was reporting “scenes of chaos” as at least three simultaneous gun battles were reported Monday in the Mexican border state of Tamaulipas, forcing the closure of several roads.
El Mañana newspaper said the violence caused widespread blockades, including the closure of the main highway leading to Monterrey from the border city of Reynosa.
The first confrontation was reported near the town of General Bravo, by a toll booth leading to the 40D superhighway junction, where civilian “armed men faced off” with military police, the newspaper reported.
Several videos and reports posted to the social media platform X showed motorists waiting for a main highway to reopen between the Mexican cities of Monterrey and Reynosa, while gunfire can be heard in the background. Groups in arms could be seen in various videos also posted to X and loud sirens heard as emergency vehicles drove past the standing vehicles.
Minutes later, armed men — thought to be drug cartel — used old tires to block a road leading to the town of Miguel Alemán, “generating panic among drivers and residents,” the newspaper reported.
The Mexican border town of Miguel Alemán is south of the Rio Grande of the South Texas town of Roma in Starr County.
Meanwhile, another blockade was reported further south near the town of San Fernando on the main highway from Reynosa leading to Victoria, which is the capital of Tamaulipas.
The reported violence comes at what could be a high-travel week because of so many Americans off from work and school north of the border for Thanksgiving, who may use the time to visit family in Mexico.
Border Report spoke with some residents in Reynosa who report they are fine.
This story will be updated as information is received.
Sandra Sanchez can be reached at [email protected].
