San Antonio, Texas — Six people died Thursday during a wave of cartel-related violence in Matamoros and surrounding areas, according to Mexican media reports. The Tamaulipas Attorney General’s Office has confirmed the death of a 7-year-old American girl and opened an investigation into her shooting.
Six people died Thursday during a wave of cartel-related violence in Matamoros and surrounding areas, according to Mexican media reports. The Tamaulipas Attorney General’s Office has confirmed the death of a 7-year-old American girl and opened an investigation into her shooting. (SBG San Antonio)
Five other people reportedly died in traffic crashes involving vehicles used as roadblocks during the unrest. KABB’s freelance crew in Mexico has independently confirmed that four of those victims were from the Mexican state of Nuevo León.
The girl, identified by relatives as Aranza, was traveling in an SUV with family members and other children near the community of Las Rusias when gunfire struck the vehicle.
Aranza was shot in the head and killed. Her mother was also wounded, reportedly suffering a gunshot wound to her foot.
According to the child’s uncle, relatives inside the SUV claim Mexican security forces fired at them from a helicopter.
Mexico’s Navy has denied that one of its helicopters fired any shots, saying its aircraft was transporting troops and did not participate in the confrontations.
The family’s allegations have not been independently verified, and investigators have not determined who fired the fatal shot.
### Four victims from Nuevo León confirmed by KABB crew
KABB’s freelance crew in Mexico confirmed that four people from Nuevo León died during the violence after their vehicle collided with a burned bus blocking the Matamoros-Reynosa highway near Ejido Soliseño.
A 3-year-old boy reportedly survived the crash with serious injuries.
Mexican media also reported that a fifth person, identified as Filiberto, died after his pickup truck struck a vehicle being used as a roadblock near the Los Indios international bridge. Reports indicate the pickup had Texas license plates.
### Arrest of alleged Gulf Cartel leader triggers violence
The violence erupted following the arrest of Axel Alfredo Cárdenas Rodríguez, an alleged high-ranking member of the Ciclones faction of the Gulf Cartel.
Cárdenas Rodríguez is the son of a cartel figure known as “El Contador” and a relative of former Gulf Cartel leader Osiel Cárdenas Guillén.
Following his arrest, armed groups set vehicles on fire, blocked major roads and scattered spike strips across streets, bringing parts of Matamoros to a standstill.
The violence spread into Río Bravo, where businesses closed and schools canceled afternoon classes. Four international bridges connecting the region to Texas were also temporarily shut down.
Mexican authorities deployed approximately 450 soldiers and two armed helicopters to the border region in response to the unrest.
### Mexican president responds to violence
On Friday, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum addressed the unrest and explained how federal security forces respond when criminal organizations block roadways.
“It happened in this particular case. The Defense Ministry and the National Guard have an action plan in case roads are blocked. They have tow trucks and various resources,” Sheinbaum said.
Her comments focused on the government’s response to roadblocks following the cartel arrest.
### Investigation into American child’s death
The Tamaulipas Attorney General’s Office has opened an investigation into the circumstances surrounding Aranza’s death.
Tamaulipas security officials confirmed the death of a child during Thursday’s violence and reported two other people injured.
Investigators have not publicly determined who fired the shot that killed Aranza.
Her family’s allegations against Mexican security forces remain under investigation.
Clarify the death count and sourcingTighten repetition about the investigation