THE LAST SAFE PLACE TO GO, THIS COULD BE THE END OF SOUTH TEXAS TOURISM: Shootouts erupt in Nuevo Progresso, Reynosa and Rio Bravo Tamaulipas

Borderland Beat

THE LAST SAFE TEXAS/MEXICAN BORDER TOWN FOR TOURISTS IS GONE:

  

At Least 10 dead in Nuevo Progreso including an "El Pantera" decribed as second in charge of the plaza

Violence erupted tonight the result of clashes between cells of organized crime in the town of Nuevo Progreso, resulting in a flurry of shootouts and blockades generated in several block of this border town. The gunfights lasted more than three hours, beginning with fighting between organized crime groups and ending with a shootout against federal forces.

At least 10 dead in Nuevo Progresso alone.

"El Pantera"(CDG) was killed in a 11:00 PM clash between elements of SEMAR and the CDG

group.. He was second in command of the Nuevo Progreso plaza.

The first shooting occurred at 19:00 hours on side streets of  Nuevo Progreso, the neighboring town of Progreso, Texas. According to unofficial reports, the shootings were continuous at first, but then became more sporadic, the persecutions alerted the inhabitants of this town of 25,000 residents.

Shootouts also ensued in neighboring Rio Bravo and Reynosa municipalities.

The confrontation between criminal cells has intensified after the arrest last week of "El Comandante Alemán", the leader of the Gulf Cartel in that municipality.

Miguel Angel Alemán Salinas was the presumed successor of Juan Manuel Rodríguez Rodríguez, aka "Juan Perros", who had just been arrested a month prior.

Authorities are yet to report numbers of injured or killed in the shootings between criminal groups.

Blockages were reported at the junction of the Reynosa-Rio Bravo highway, access to Reynosa International Airport, access to the Reynosa-Matamoros highway, the Rio Bravo to Reynosa highway and near the Pharr-Reynosa International bridge.

FAREWELL TO GOOD TIMES, 90 CENT BEERS, CHEAP PHARMACIES, AND DENTAL CARE!