Four Americans Targeted in Mexico: FBI Offering $50K Reward
On Friday, March 03, 2023, four Americans crossed into Matamoros, Tamaulipas, Mexico driving a white minivan with North Carolina license plates. As soon as they had crossed the border into Mexico, passengers in the vehicle were shot at by unknown assailants. Armed men took all four Americans away from the scene in a vehicle.[0]
The U.S. citizens are believed to have been targeted by mistake and were not the intended victims, according to U.S. Ambassador to Mexico Ken Salazar.[1] The official said that receipts found in the vehicle indicated that they had gone to Matamoros, a city on the border, for medical procedures.
According to an unnamed US official who spoke to CNN, receipts were discovered in an abandoned vehicle, which indicated that US citizens had gone to Matamoros, a border city, for medical procedures.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation is requesting assistance from the public in identifying the potential perpetrators, with a reward of $50,000 being offered, according to the embassy.[2] Although the FBI declined to validate the photos, CNN has pinpointed the location of the images, which was substantiated by a U.S. official familiar with the inquiry.[1]
A woman is depicted in the photos standing next to a white minivan, with three people lying motionless on the ground around her.[1] The van's doors were all open.[1] The status of U.S. citizenship of the four individuals in the photos is uncertain.[3]
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said in a news briefing, “These sorts of attacks are unacceptable. We stand ready to provide all appropriate consular assistance.”[2] She stated that U.S. law enforcement and the State and Homeland Security departments would collaborate with Mexico and press them to prosecute those accountable.[4]
The FBI San Antonio Division is asking that anyone with knowledge of the incident contact them or submit an online tip. The FBI San Antonio Division encourages members of the public to contact them at 210-225-6741 with any information related to this investigation. Tips can also be submitted online at https://tips.fbi.gov.[5] Those who offer information can retain their anonymity.[5]
The occurrence underscores the continuous violence in certain Mexican cities, which have been tormented by organized crime since the Mexican Drug War commenced in 2006, as well as the expanding business of “medical tourism”.[1]
0. “FBI: Four U.S. citizens kidnapped in Matamoros” KRGV, 6 Mar. 2023, http://www.krgv.com/news/fbi-four-u-s-citizens-kidnapped-in-matamoros
1. “FBI: 4 US citizens missing after being kidnapped in Mexico” WGAL Susquehanna Valley Pa., 6 Mar. 2023, https://www.wgal.com/article/4-us-citizens-missing-mexico-fbi/43204041
2. “4 US citizens kidnapped in Mexico identified; crossed border to ‘buy medicines'” WLS-TV, 7 Mar. 2023, https://abc7chicago.com/12918955/
3. “FBI: 4 US citizens missing after being kidnapped in Mexico” WCVB Boston, 6 Mar. 2023, https://www.wcvb.com/article/4-us-citizens-missing-mexico-fbi/43204041
4. “U.S. citizens kidnapped by gunmen across border in Matamoros, Mexico” The Washington Post, 6 Mar. 2023, https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2023/03/06/americans-kidnapped-mexico-matamoros
5. “FBI Seeks Public's Help in Locating U.S. Citizens” US Embassy & Consulates in Mexico, 6 Mar. 2023, https://mx.usembassy.gov/fbi-seeks-publics-help-in-locating-u-s-citizens
