By Roberto Bustamante
12 Jul 2024, 10:54 AM EDT
The presence of organized crime in the state of Tamaulipas has left a wave of violence that no one has been able to stop, and that has even caused Several alerts issued by the United States government.
The most recent of these warnings was issued on July 11 through the U.S. consulate’s social media, and refers to the kidnapping of bus passengers in the Reynosa region, a city controlled by the Gulf Cartel.
The alert mentions that several kidnappings have been reported at night, and they occur mainly on buses belonging to the Omnibus transportation company that go south, and that leave from the main terminal in the border city.
The consulate detailed that the criminals They have specifically targeted passengers with connections in the United States.including U.S. citizens and residents.
“Victims report that their belongings and documents are stolen, their bank accounts are emptied and their families are forced to pay ransoms of thousands of dollars,” the statement said.
This increase in criminal activity has led the State Department to raise the travel warning to Level 4recommending that U.S. citizens not travel to Tamaulipas due to the risk of kidnappings and other crimes.
As part of the alert, the US government has urged its citizens to Avoid traveling through Tamaulipas and has recommended that those already in the region notify friends and family of their plans and stay in touch with them.
They have also been warned to maintain high surveillance of their surroundings to avoid risky situations. In case of being a victim of kidnapping in Reynosa, the Consulate has provided the contact number for the local FBI office in McAllen, Texas, at 1 (956) 984-6300.
The alert is intended to protect U.S. citizens and minimize the risks associated with recent kidnapping incidents in the region.
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