The government of Tamaulipas, a border state in Mexico, is under fire for allegedly suppressing news of escalating cartel violence. By manipulating crime statistics and issuing misleading statements, officials are attempting to present a facade of peace and security, despite the reality of ongoing turf wars between powerful drug cartels.
Cities such as Reynosa, Rio Bravo, San Fernando, and Abasolo have witnessed a dramatic rise in violence in recent weeks. Convoys of gunmen in armored vehicles have become a common sight, while state and federal authorities are often conspicuously absent. Yet, mainstream media outlets have been largely silent, a result of both the high risks associated with reporting on cartel activities and pressure from government officials to maintain the illusion of stability.
Residents, increasingly frustrated by the lack of reliable information, have turned to social media to stay informed about kidnappings, extortions, carjackings, and violent shootouts that plague their communities. Meanwhile, the Tamaulipas government continues to disseminate social media posts touting days without reported murders or major crimes, despite widespread evidence to the contrary.
In a recent example of the state’s efforts to downplay the violence, Tamaulipas officials dismissed travel warnings issued by the U.S. Consulate in Matamoros, which cautioned American citizens about the dangers of ransom kidnappings. The government claimed these warnings were unreliable, based on hearsay rather than official statistics.
The situation took a darker turn this week when cartel gunmen set fire to two trailers carrying clothing in San Fernando after the owners refused to pay protection fees. In other parts of the state, drug cartels have begun taxing private vehicle sales, with deadly consequences for those who fail to comply. The Tamaulipas government has attempted to obscure these incidents, attributing them to highway accidents rather than acknowledging the true cause.
