Amid a surge in cartel violence in the Mexican border state of Tamaulipas, government officials are being accused of covering up the true extent of the chaos. Through doctored crime statistics and misleading public statements, the government is attempting to paint a picture of peace, even as drug cartels engage in brutal turf wars across the region.
Cities such as Reynosa, Rio Bravo, San Fernando, and Abasolo have seen a sharp increase in violence, with armored convoys of gunmen frequently clashing in the streets. Despite this, mainstream media outlets have been noticeably quiet, a result of both the dangers of reporting on cartel activities and pressure from government officials to maintain the appearance of stability.
In response to the lack of reliable information, local residents have increasingly turned to social media to share news of kidnappings, extortions, carjackings, and shootouts. The Tamaulipas government, however, continues to push a narrative of calm, regularly posting about days without reported murders or other serious crimes. These claims, however, fail to withstand scrutiny when compared to the frequent reports of violence circulating on social media.
The government’s attempts to minimize the violence have extended to dismissing travel warnings from the U.S. Consulate in Matamoros. These warnings, which highlighted the risk of ransom kidnappings targeting U.S. citizens, were brushed off by Tamaulipas officials as unreliable hearsay.
The violence in Tamaulipas reached new heights this week when cartel gunmen set fire to two trailers carrying clothing in San Fernando after the owners refused to pay protection fees. Elsewhere in the state, cartels have imposed taxes on private vehicle sales, threatening, kidnapping, and even killing those who do not comply. The government has sought to hide these incidents, attributing them to highway accidents in a bid to maintain their narrative of control.
