Mexico's AMLO Orders Probe Into U.S.-Mexico Border Shootings That Left 19 People Dead

Mexico's President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, also known as AMLO, promised a thorough investigation into the shootings that happened near the U.S.-Mexico border over the weekend.

Initially, the death toll of the said shooting was reported to be 18, including the four suspects killed by the security forces. However, state security forces confirmed Monday, June 21, that 15 civilians were killed, Reuters reported.

AMLO has called for a federal investigation in the string of shootings that happened in Reynosa City near the U.S.-Mexico border on Saturday, June 19.

AMLO said it was a cowardly attack that took the lives of "innocent people." The Mexican president noted that evidence indicated that the 15 victims were innocent bystanders, Al Jazeera reported.

AMLO Vows to Investigate the Shootings Near the U.S.-Mexico Border

Speaking at a news conference on Monday, June 21, AMLO said he would direct the attorney general's office to investigate the attacks that claimed the lives of more than a dozen of people.

The Mexican president asked the federal prosecutors to take over the case as he vowed for a "thorough investigation."

AMLO noted that the attacks indicated that it was not a confrontation but rather "a commando" that shot civilians who were not involved in any conflict.

The security forces said in a statement that the multiple shooting incidents in Reynosa City were committed by gunmen who "were aboard several vehicles."

The Mexican government's latest homicide figures showed a decrease in killings in the country. Reports said that nearly 3,000 homicides occurred in Mexico last month, higher than the homicide records in May 2020.

The Mexican government noted that homicides in the country declined at least 2.9 percent in the first five months of 2021 compared with last year.

The director of the civic anti-crime group Common Cause, María Elena Morera, said that many Mexicans had been injured in incidents like the one in Reynosa City.

"In the face of so much violence, people prefer not to let the pain in, and turn away," said Morera.

Involvement of Gulf Cartel in the Shootings

Authorities are still in the process of finding out the motive for the spate of deadly gun violence in Reynosa City, which is across the U.S-Mexico border from McAllen, Texas.

Reynosa is known to be a battleground for factions of the Gulf Cartel fighting for control. Experts believe that Gulf Cartel has an internal struggle since 2017.

The Gulf Cartel usually targets rival gunmen or security forces. But the victims of the latest shooting were different since they were innocent civilians composed of taxi drivers, workers, and a student.

The Mexican president sought to avoid confrontations with drug cartels. Reports noted that AMLO prefers to address underlying social problems such as youth employment.

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