MEXICO CITY
At least three people were killed during a six-hour gunfight in Reynosa between a drug gang and authorities.
“Three armed civilians are reported dead. Two members of the state of Tamaulipas security task force consisting of army troops and federal police were injured in the attacks,” authorities said late Friday, adding that vehicles were also burned, including a school bus.
Government officials alleged that the violence was provoked by the arrest of Jose Tiburcio Hernandez Fuentes, also know as “El gafe,” leader of the Gulf drug cartel.
"Following the operation, members of that same criminal group responded by attacking members of the federal forces and police officers, carrying out some road blockades," said the Tamaulipas Coordination Group, or GCT, a group formed by federal and Tamaulipas state security corps.
Local government asked residents to stay home and avoid using city roads.
The U.S. consulate in the city of Matamoros issued an alert advising Americans to “use extreme caution and to remain in-doors.”
Tamaulipas has for years seen violence between the Gulf and Los Zetas drug cartels fighting for control of the state that borders Texas.
Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto has fought an uphill battle to control violence in the country since taking office in December 2012.
Although the homicide rate has declined, strategic states to the narcotics trade remain violent, under the control of drug cartels.
More than 100,000 victims have been killed in gang violence in Mexico in the past eight years.
