Destroyed and burned-out vehicles (typically SUVs) have been evident. Large convoys (sometimes 10+ vehicles with some of them armor-plated) of cartel operatives and smaller units-single and small groups of vehicles-carrying gunmen (some with body armor) utilizing infantry small arms, including launched and thrown fragmentation grenades, are involved in the tactical actions between the opposing factions. While this power vacuum has existed for some years now-with limited strife between the various factions-this has recently changed with the attempted takeover of Matamoros by the Los Metros faction. Synopsis: The top leadership of Cartel del Golfo has either been killed or captured resulting in a power vacuum and the splintering of this cartel into factions based on local plaza chiefs and lieutenants controlling smaller groups of gunmen. Matamoros, the plaza across from Brownsville, Texas, is a valuable gateway for smuggling illicit narcotics into the United States and for bringing money, weaponry, stolen cars and other products back into Mexico. Why: An attempted takeover of the Matamoros plaza (controlled by Los Ciclones) by Los Metros (who control Reynosa and Rio Bravo). Much of this fighting is taking place within miles of the Texas border. Where: Anahuac, Matamoros, Miguel Aleman, Nuevo Progreso, Rio Bravo, the highway between Anahauc and Valle Hermoso, and the highway between Reynosa and Rio Bravo within the state of Tamaulipas, Mexico. When: Starting in early February 2015 and continuing on while writing this tactical note. What: Firefights and tactical actions including the closure of highways and city streets via vehicle blockades and the use of caltrops. The Ciclones out of Matamoros against Los Metros out of Reynosa and Rio Bravo. Who: Competing factions of the Cartel del Golfo (CDG).
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La Colonia Cumbres del municipio de Reynosa, 3 March 2015 Weapons from Vehicle Belonging to CDG Faction The war has led to large scale gun battles between cartel members as well as with Mexican authorities.įigure 2. Since the beginning of February, two factions of the Gulf Cartel went to war turning various cities along the Texas border into a war zone. The soldiers fought back killing the three gunmen in the vehicle. In the second shootout, another military convoy was patrolling the rural town of Portes Gil just outside of Rio Bravo, Texas, when a group of gunmen in Jeep Cherokee began firing at the convoy as they tried to get away. The soldiers fought of the attack killing one of the gunmen who was only identified as a man between 25 and 30-years old, the other gunmen were able to get away. In the first shootout, a military convoy was conducting routine patrols in the Los Fresnos neighborhood when the occupants of a light blue Pontiac Grand Prix began firing at the convoy. 50 caliber rifles, two belt-fed machine guns and three assault rifles.īoth shootouts took place in the Mexican border city of Rio Bravo which is just south of Donna, Texas, information provided to Breitbart Texas by the Tamaulipas government revealed. MCALLEN, Texas – The Mexican military killed four gunmen in two separate shootouts near the Texas border and managed to seize. Key Information: Ildefonso Ortiz, “Mexican Army Kills Four Gunmen and Seizes Belt-fed Machine Guns Near Texas Border.” Breitbart. They move around in huge vehicle caravans and bullet proof vehicles. Los Metros right now operate in Rio Bravo and wants to expand into Matamoros, according to police.
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At one point he was assigned to fight against the Zetas who had challenged the leadership of the CDG in the state. The head of the other splinter group is Juan Francisco Carrizales, alias El 98, who has been identified by the Attorney General’s Office and theDrug Enforcement Agency, DEA, as one of the most importman gunmen working for the CDG. The head of the Ciclones is Ángel Prado Rodríguez, alias Ciclon Siete or Orejon. About a thousand military officers have been deployed to the northern state. The cells call The Ciclones, with control of Matamoros and Los Metros, located in the Rio Bravo-Reynosa apparently are engaged in a bloody fight for control of the region.
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Recent violence in the cities of Matamoros, Reynosa in the state of Tamaulipas is related to an ongoing dispute for territorial control between two splinter groups linked to the Gulf Cartel, CDG. Key Information: “Splinter Gulf Cartel drug groups fight for control of Matamoros/Reynosa.” Mexico DailyReview. Mexican Cartel Tactical Note #23: Firefights Below the Border-Cartel del Golfo (CDG) Ciclones vs.