The U.S. Embassy in Mexico on Monday ordered government employees to avoid the border city of Reynosa amid reports of \u201cviolent criminal activity.\u201d<\/p>\n
In a security alert<\/a>, the embassy noted that its consulate in Matamoros, Mexico, has \u201creceived reports of violent criminal activity including roadblocks\u201d in Reynosa. U.S. government employees have been \u201cordered to avoid the greater Reynosa area,\u201d the alert added.<\/p>\n Reynosa, with a population of more than 700,000 people as of 2020, is the largest city in the Mexican state of Tamaulipas. Located in the northwest corner of Mexico, it is roughly nine miles from McAllen International Airport in southwest Texas.<\/p>\n Reynosa, in fact, is connected to Texas via the McAllen-Hidalgo International Bridge<\/a>, which passes over the Rio Grande.<\/p>\n The State Department also advises<\/a> Americans to not travel to Tamaulipas, citing concerns over terrorism, crime and kidnapping.<\/p>\n \u201cOrganized crime activity is common along the northern border and in Ciudad Victoria. It includes gun battles, murder, armed robbery, carjacking, kidnapping, forced disappearances, extortion, and sexual assault,\u201d the State Department\u2019s advisory states.<\/p>\n Five other Mexican states \u2014 Colima; Guerrero; Michoacan; Sinaloa; and Zacatecas \u2014 also carry \u201cdo not travel\u201d distinctions, with the State Department citing similar reasons.<\/p>\n The U.S. Embassy recommends that those in the Reynosa area maintain a high level of vigilance and keep a low profile; monitor local media for updates; be aware of their surroundings; notify friends and family of their safety; review their personal security plans; follow the instructions of local authorities; and call 911 if they need emergency assistance.<\/p>\n U.S. citizens in Mexico can also access information, resources and guidance via a navigator offered by the State Department<\/a>.<\/p>\n Earlier this month, two U.S. officials died in a car crash<\/a> alongside one Mexican official and an officer in the Mexican state of Chihuahua. Multiple<\/a> outlets<\/a> reported that the U.S. officials were CIA agents and were returning from the scene of a counternarcotic operation with their Mexican counterparts.<\/p>\n Chihuahua, in the northern part of Mexico, is on the opposite side of the country from Tamaulipas.<\/p>\n Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said Monday that her government \u201cdidn\u2019t know\u201d about the role of the U.S. officials in the operation, according to The Guardian<\/a>. Sheinbaum also said that she requested that the U.S. follow Mexican national security law in future operations, with the latter government in agreement.<\/p>\n Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.<\/p>\n