Gov. Greg Abbott ordered a major escalation of Texas law enforcement along the southern border Monday, directing the Texas Department of Public Safety to surge personnel and resources in response to a wave of cartel violence in Mexico triggered by the killing of the country's most feared drug lord.
Abbott directed DPS to enhance public safety and homeland security operations across Texas in response to escalating cartel violence in Mexico that he said poses a growing threat to American civilians.
The trigger: Mexican military forces killed Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes - known as "El Mencho," leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel - on Feb. 22, setting off a surge of retaliatory violence across more than half a dozen Mexican states, with torched vehicles and armed gunmen blocking major highways.
On Sunday, the U.S. embassy issued a security alert urging American citizens in several Mexican states to shelter in place due to security operations, related road blockages, and criminal activities.
At Abbott's direction, DPS will surge Texas Highway Patrol, Texas Rangers, Criminal Investigations Division, and Special Operations Group resources to the border region to detect, interdict, and apprehend criminals, and to prevent spillover activity from transnational threats. The Tactical Marine Unit and Aircraft Operations Division will also increase operations along the border. Additionally, the Homeland Security Division and Texas Fusion Center will activate additional personnel to monitor social media and reports of suspicious activity around the clock.
Abbott said the state is "closely coordinating" with the State Department and FBI as the situation unfolds.
In a statement, Abbott did not hold back: "Mexican drug cartels pose a significant threat to public safety and national security. By increasing proactive efforts to defend against cartel violence, Texas will continue to utilize every tool and strategy to protect our state and our nation. We will not cower to criminals who impose terror on our fellow Texans and Americans."
No spillover violence into Texas has been confirmed at this time. There are no reports of injuries or fatalities on U.S. soil connected to the current unrest.
Texans who need immediate assistance can contact the Texas Fusion Center at 1-844-927-0521. Americans currently in Mexico can call the U.S. Department of State at 1-888-407-4747 (from the U.S.) or 1-202-501-4444 (from outside the U.S.).
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