Overnight Sunday, violence erupted in the Mexican border town of Nuevo Laredo. Mexican army officials detained a high-ranking drug gang commander and forced the closure of two international bridges.

According to a State Agency official, the department is aware of reports of gunfire and an exploding grenade at the U.S. border on Monday afternoon. Gunshots were heard around Nuevo Laredo, including at the Consulate.

U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar, D-Texas, whose hometown is Laredo, Texas, just across the border from Nuevo Laredo, told Border Report that the violence was sparked by one group being dissatisfied with their new leader, and the other two groups asking, “Is there a vacuum here because we may need to come in?” 

According to Cuellar, the arrest of the cartel boss by SEDENA (Secretara de la Defensa Nacional), or the Mexican army, sparked violence between at least three drug cartels.

After Juan Gerardo Trevio, also known as “El Huevo,” was arrested, violence started.

“El Huevo” is the Cartel del Noreste’s alleged leader. Miguel Angel Trevio, the founder of Los Zetas, is his uncle.

Due to reports of gunshots near the US border overnight, Employees of the United States government have been urged to shelter in place at the Consulate and other places throughout Nuevo Laredo. Citizens of the United States should stay away from the affected areas or shelter in place. Call 5550802000 in an emergency.

Two US-Mexico bridges in the vicinity, the Nuevo Laredo at Juarez-Lincoln Bridge and the Gateway to the Americas Bridge, were blocked due to the violence.

Extradition and a raft of charges, including drug trafficking and money laundering, await the arrested leader. He’ll also be charged with murder, terrorism, extortion, and criminal association on a state level.

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