As numerous violent incidents were reported in Mexico’s north in the afternoon of Friday, August 12, attacks and violence remained unabated over the course of this week. Through social media, it was revealed that automobiles are being blocked and set afire within the aforementioned boundary in the cities of Tecate, Rosarito, Ensenada, Tijuana, and Mexicali.
What is happening in Tijuana?
According to the Times of San Diego, the conflict between the Sinaloa Cartel, once headed by the notorious Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman, and a local organization called Los Mexicles, started on Thursday in a prison in Ciudad Juarez. Before the fight spilled onto the streets, it resulted in two fatalities and 16 injuries. A shelter-in-place order was then issued.
The U.S. Consulate General in Tijuana has advised American government workers to remain indoors following reports of violence in some areas of Baja, California.
In a tweet, the U.S. Consulate noted that there have been reports of many car fires, roadblocks, and intense police activity in the border cities of Tijuana, Mexicali, Rosarito, Ensenada, and Tecate.
According to Montserrat Caballero Ramrez, the mayor of Tijuana, NBC San Diego reported that at least 10 automobiles had been set on fire.
According to the local news source, Ramirez claimed to have 3,000 National Guard soldiers and 2,000 police officers on standby.
The US Consulate cautions the staff
The US Consulate in Tijuana advised US citizens and government workers to seek shelter and stay inside due to reports of violence throughout the Baja California city on Friday, August 12.
The Consulate issued a brief advisory to US citizens in the impacted areas, where there had been blockages, rioting, and the setting on fire of numerous automobiles.
1/2 The U.S. Consulate General Tijuana is aware of reports of multiple vehicle fires, roadblocks, and heavy police activity in Tijuana, Mexicali, Rosarito, Ensenada, and Tecate. U.S. government employees have been instructed to shelter in place until further notice. pic.twitter.com/oghBX1P7qX
— U.S. Consulate Tijuana (@ConsuladoUSATJ) August 13, 2022
Additionally, via Twitter, the US Consulate issued a warning: “The U.S. Consulate General Tijuana is aware of reports of multiple vehicle fires, roadblocks, and strong police action in Tijuana, Mexicali, Rosarito, Ensenada, and Tecate. Employees of the U.S. government have been told to remain indoors until further notice.
US Consulate’s explanation of the Tijuana cartel violence
When Jalisco New Generation Cartel leader Ricardo Ruiz, also known as “The YouTuber,” was purportedly detained by Mexican authorities on August 10, it appears that the situation deteriorated.
According to VICE, the cartel launched a major, violent retaliation in numerous Mexican locations following the alleged detention of Ruiz. The newspaper also claimed that the Jalisco New Generation Cartel supposedly overran Guadalajara for 10 hours, along with a number of other cities in the Mexican states of Jalisco and Guanajuato.
In numerous locations in the states of Jalisco and Guanajuato, at least a dozen automobiles and businesses were set on fire as a result of the alleged violence by armed men, according to the reports of the incidents in the Mexican newspaper Reforma.
Femsa Corporate Communication, meantime, reported that 25 Oxxo convenience stores in the state of Guanajuato had been set on fire as of Tuesday.
Numerous reports claim that hundreds of Mexican soldiers were stationed in Ciudad Juarez as a result of the intense violence and retaliation. Since Tijuana and Ciudad Juarez are both in the same state of Baja California, the violence surrounding the purported arrest of Ricardo Ruiz has since expanded to communities far from the epicenter
The Times of San Diego said that Ciudad Juarez served as the catalyst for the violence. The Sinaloa Cartel and the Los Mexicles engaged in combat in the prison of the Mexican city, which resulted in the deaths of two people and the injuries of 16 more.
The article claims that the conflict inside the prison caused the violence to spill outside, killing nine more people in Ciudad Juarez, most of whom were civilians. Later, western places like Tijuana were also used to foment violence.
What were the authorities comments on the violence in Tijuana?
Monserrat Caballero Ramrez, the mayor of Tijuana, told NBC San Diego that at least 10 automobiles had been set on fire nearby.
However, she added that should the conflict worsen, “2,000 police officers and 3,000 National Guard troops” are ready to step in and stop the violence in Tijuana that may have been sparked by potential cartel members.
The Times of San Diego said that Mayor Caballero had implored the cartel members to spare the lives of nearby innocent individuals. Exactly, for this reason, the U.S. Consulate General in Tijuana issued a warning, advising American government workers in Mexico to avoid the area and seek shelter.
The official statement also urged US residents in the region or nearby areas to keep an eye on local news reports to stay informed.
Only one month had passed since they issued a travel alert cautioning people against visiting Tijuana and Rosarito due to purported cartel warfare.
Marina del Pilar vila Olmeda, the governor of Baja California, responds to the violence
The Baja California Governor, Marina del Pilar vila Olmeda, has already claimed that numerous people, possibly cartel members, were captured after they had allegedly incited violence.
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However, the national authorities have not yet confirmed the reported apprehension of Ricardo Ruiz. She wrote: “Baja Californians and Baja Californians: We are working from the first moment to guarantee peace in our State.” in the title of a tweet. We’ll use all of our government’s resources to bring about peace and track down those behind these attacks.
Bajacalifornianas y bajacalifornianos:
— Marina del Pilar (@MarinadelPilar) August 13, 2022
Estamos trabajando desde el primer momento para salvaguardar la paz en nuestro Estado.
Aplicaremos toda la fuerza de nuestro Gobierno para que haya paz y demos con los responsables de estos atentados.
Les seguiremos informando. pic.twitter.com/npy0r9X0Yo
Olmeda had previously written in a tweet: “I strongly condemn the violent incidents that took place in our state this afternoon. I’m meeting with the Security Table right now. The people in custody who are in charge of the events that took place are already.”
It is unknown if the US Consulate will set up a successful rescue for its US personnel and their families.
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