It was a violent standoff.
U.S. Border Patrol agents exchanged gunfire with suspected members of a Mexican cartel at the southern border on Monday. The incident occurred in the Rio Grande Valley in Texas, where shots were fired from the Mexican side of the U.S.-Mexico border toward the border agents, according to the Washington Examiner.
U.S. Border Patrol agents responded by firing multiple shots back, though no agents were injured. The shooting took place in Fronton, Texas, and authorities suspect a Mexican cartel was behind the initial gunfire, law enforcement officials informed the outlet.
Lt. Chris Olivarez of the Texas Department of Public Safety shared videos and photos on X, showing a heavily armed gunman. Olivarez explained that Texas DPS assisted Border Patrol after the gunfire incident, and their drone operators captured images of the gunman fleeing into an area between the U.S. and Mexico, seeking refuge on an island. Olivarez assured that Texas would continue to monitor the region closely to counter transnational threats.
Two sources revealed that a “green light” was issued by the cartel after former President Donald Trump’s inauguration, effectively allowing cartel members to target U.S. federal law enforcement. The area where the shooting took place is reportedly known as “cartel island” due to ongoing cartel activity. Despite the dangers, border officials mentioned that being fired upon by cartels has become somewhat routine in the region.
The gunfire incident occurred on the same day Trump addressed House Republicans, reiterating that border security remains one of his top priorities. Meanwhile, Fronton Island, located in Starr County, Texas, remains an uninhabited and disputed territory, with both Texas and Mexico claiming ownership.
