Four Americans kidnapped in northeastern Mexico
The FBI is offering a $50,000 reward for any help contributing to the release of four Americans kidnapped in Mexico on Friday.
Posted
The roads in the Tamaulipas region are considered the most dangerous in Mexico due to the risk of kidnapping and extortion by criminal groups (illustration image).
AFP
Four US citizens were shot at before being abducted by gunmen in northeastern Mexico, US and Mexican authorities said on Monday.
The four Americans, whose identities remain unknown, drove through the town of Matamoros, in the state of Tamaulipas, on Friday driving a white minivan registered in the US state of North Carolina, the FBI said. in a statement released by the US Embassy in Mexico.
“Shortly after crossing the border, unidentified gunmen opened fire on the passengers in the vehicle. The four Americans were then placed in another vehicle and abducted by the armed men,” he added. The FBI offers a reward of 50,000 dollars (46,500 francs) for any assistance contributing to the release of the victims and the arrest of the suspects.
Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador said the victims traveled to Mexico to buy medicine. He added that they would have found themselves caught in a confrontation between criminal groups.
“Unacceptable”
US Ambassador to Mexico Ken Salazar said in a statement that an “innocent Mexican citizen was tragically killed” in the incident. “U.S. law enforcement officials from numerous agencies are working with Mexican authorities at all levels of government to ensure the safe return of our compatriots,” he added.
“This type of attack is unacceptable,” reacted the spokesperson for the American Executive Karine Jean-Pierre, adding that the American administration was “ready to provide assistance if necessary”. The town of Matomoros, located on the border with the United States, is plagued by violence linked to drug trafficking and organized crime.
The roads in the Tamaulipas region are considered the most dangerous in Mexico due to the risk of kidnapping and extortion by criminal groups. The US State Department advises against travel to the region. “Criminal groups target public and private buses, as well as private cars traveling through Tamaulipas, often taking passengers hostage and demanding ransoms,” according to a US travel advisory.
(AFP)
