Breitbart Texas traveled to the Mexican border cities of Reynosa and Matamoros to recruit citizen journalists willing to risk their lives and expose the cartels silencing their communities. The writers would face certain death at the hands of the Gulf Cartel if a pseudonym were not used. Breitbart Texas’ Cartel Chronicles are published in both English and in their original Spanish. This article was written by Matamoros’s “JA Espinoza.”
MATAMOROS, Tamaulipas– As cartel violence continues to plague this border city, the U.S Consulate General in Matamoros has beefed up the security measures in its offices in likely preparation for any future violent incident like the ones that have become all too common in this region.
Mexican federal troops have been stationed outside of the U.S Consulate building and have set up concrete barricades as well as various contingents of heavily armed troops that have set up a perimeter around the neighborhood which is not far from two international bridges.
While no official reason has been given for the temporary closing of 1st Avenue between Azucena and Azaleas streets, federal troops continue watching over the area claiming offhandedly that they have explicit orders to remain guarding the buildings
As Breitbart Texas previously reported, security conditions at U.S. consular offices has been the topic of heated debates since two U.S. Congressmen called out Secretary of State John Kerry over not maintaining security conditions are the offices in cities with heightened drug cartel violence.
Breitbart Texas reached out to Paola Obregon the spokeswoman at the U.S. Consulate General office in Matamoros who confirmed the increase in security.
“This action is the result of our cooperation with Mexican authorities to improve the security surrounding the consulate,” Obregon said. “We appreciate the commitment of the Mexican Government to protect our shared interest in this vital region.”
In responding if the increase in security was due to any particular threat, the spokeswoman said the consulate keeps frequent communication with local authorities to guarantee the security of the diplomatic representatives.
During the last few days, 1st Avenue has been blocked off to vehicular traffic. However, the consulate continues to operate in a regular fashion handling scheduled visa appointments.
Due to the silence surrounding the beefed up security, on the first day there were rumors about a bomb threat. The rumor was dismissed by the Matamoros Public Safety Department where officials stated they had no reports of such threats and likewise did not know the reason for the added security.
In regards to the closing of the street around the U.S. Consulate, Matamoros City Manager Jorge Villarreal Tavera said his office was informed and had authorized the move.
“In regards to the closing of the avenue, timely warning was given to the municipal authority through the proper channels and written requests,” Villarreal Tavera said.
The city manager would not comment as to the reason for the beefed up security but stated that it was a temporary move and as soon as possible the barricades and added would be moved.
He stated that the changes would likely remain until the end of the month without providing additional information.
EN ESPANOL