Valley residents concerned over cartel struggle

The ongoing struggle in the northern part of Mexico between drug cartels has created an atmosphere of fear in the general public, many of whom have relatives just across the border. The main concern surrounding those fears is that the violence could spill over to the U.S. side.

"The situation is really bad over there," said Brownville resident Aleida Balderas, as she walked along the border fence near Hope Park.

"I just don’t cross anymore. It’s like in the movies — there really is no law over there. I just hope it doesn’t get like that over here."

In recent weeks, the state of Tamaulipas has seen several large-scale gun battles as the Gulf Cartel and the Zetas fight for control of the area. Mexican officials have confirmed reports of various shootouts in the cities of Reynosa, Matamoros, Rio Bravo, Tampico and other municipalities as the two organizations fight for control.

Despite the constant fighting, U.S. officials are not reporting any violence spillover.

"Drug trafficking organizations in Mexico are engaged in an armed violent struggle to control shrinking drug routes and territories," said Department of Homeland Security Deputy Press Secretary Matt Chandler.

"They are targeting and killing rival cartel members, innocent Mexican civilians, police and senior government officials among others. We are not, however, seeing any indication of similar violence here in the U.S."

On Sunday night, two men were shot and apparently kidnapped in the parking lot of the Walmart on Jackson Street in McAllen. According to McAllen police chief Victor Rodriguez, the shooting and apparent kidnapping appears to be related to organized crime, and the suspects and the victims probably knew each other beforehand.

According to the Congressional Research Service, the definition of violence spillover excludes trafficker-on- trafficker violence.

"Spillover violence entails deliberate, planned attacks by the cartels on U.S. assets including civilian, military or law enforcement officials, innocent U.S. citizens or physical institution such as government buildings, consulates or businesses. This definition doesn’t include trafficker-on-trafficker violence."

Brownsville Police spokesman St. Jimmy Manrrique said their department continually monitors the situation in Mexico and is ready to respond to any situation.

"Our police chief (Carlos Garcia) is in regular contact with Mexican authorities, and whenever there is an incident of escalated violence that has the potential to spill over, we are prepared to deal with it properly."

U.S. Customs and Border Protection deferred comment to Chandler, who said DHS has been consistently strengthening security at the border with additional power and infrastructure.

"U.S. CBP, in coordination with federal, state and local law enforcement, remain vigilant in the wake of increased violence in Mexico and are determined to prevent violence crossing over to the United States," he said.

Cameron county Sheriff Omar Lucio said his deputies constantly monitor the border situation and have contingency plans in place to respond accordingly.

While many are concerned about the drug violence, Missouri native, Andrew Hershmugl feels quite safe having a good time in Matamoros.

Hershmugl arrived this week in Brownsville as part of a yearly cross-country trip and was looking forward to visiting Matamoros.

"Matamoros or Reynosa, that’s fine," he said. "Juarez, now that’s a Jungle. I feel perfectly fine going to Matamoros and having a good time. I can just grab a cab and go wherever I need."

For Brownsville resident Dora Reyes, the ongoing violence saddens her because it keeps her children from visiting Mexico.

"I’m scared," Reyes said. "The situation has me scared because I constantly hear there was a shooting here and a shooting there. I’m from Mexico so I occasionally get the urge to visit my country."

Because of the violence, Reyes has resorted to parking her car in downtown Brownsville and simply walking to Matamoros for some errands, limiting her visit to the main streets.

"My children, they don’t cross," she said. "I only go a few blocks and come back."