US raises alert in Mexican city of Nuevo Laredo, closes consulate

Mexico City, 14 Mar The US Embassy in Mexico said Monday that it is “closely monitoring” the violent events of the early morning in the border city of Nuevo Laredo, in the Mexican state of Tamaulipas, which resulted in the arrest of a kingpin. In a statement, Ambassador Ken Salazar said that “the safety of US citizens and our employees is the highest priority for the State Department” and it was therefore decided to close the US Consulate in Nuevo Laredo. In Nuevo Laredo, early Monday, there were heavy gunfire clashes between a cartel and the Mexican Army, which led to the closure of international bridges with the United States for several hours after the arrest of a kingpin. Salazar noted that “the current situation in Nuevo Laredo underscores the importance of working with the Government of Mexico under the Bicentennial Framework of Safety, Public Health and Safe Communities to disrupt criminal organizations.” The US ambassador also noted that they are “taking steps to protect the safety of our employees. Our consulate is closed to the public until further notice. All appointments scheduled for tomorrow (Tuesday) will be rescheduled.” According to official sources, throughout Sunday night and early Monday morning there were about 30 clashes between members of the Troop of Hell, the armed arm of the Northeast Cartel (CDN), against Army agents, as well as blockades of avenues with dozens of vehicles burned after the arrest of a leader of this powerful cartel. “Shots were reported at military installations and the offices of the United States Consulate in Nuevo Laredo, as well as clashes and persecutions in various parts of the city,” said the Tamaulipas Secretary of Public Security. Meanwhile, in a bulletin, the Secretariat of National Defense (Sedena) confirmed that in the last hours Juan Gerardo Treviño, alias el Huevo, considered leader of the Northeast Cartel, was arrested during an operation in the region. Later, in a statement, the Mexican Foreign Ministry said that “it has been in direct and constant communication with the diplomatic representatives of the United States in our country.” The foregoing, “by virtue of the implications and possible effects on the personnel who work there”. In this regard, he indicated that the Government of Mexico took “immediate measures” to provide security for such consular representation. In addition, he said that, as a result, “it has been agreed that the public service of the United States Consulate should be temporarily closed, as well as occasional operations to protect the building and the diplomatic and consular personnel working there”. In addition, SRE indicated that the governments of Mexico and the United States “will further strengthen cooperation on security in order to end impunity and bring to justice those involved in attacks.” CHIEF jmrg/cfa