MEXICO.- The border city of Mexicali was placed under a security alert issued by the United States on Tuesday due to a potential threat, while Mexican authorities assured that they have not detected elements that confirm a specific or imminent risk for the population.
The warning was issued by the United States consulate in Tijuana after a recent operation by Mexican federal forces, carried out with American collaboration, against a local gang linked to the Sinaloa Cartel. In that action, 120 kilos of fentanyl were seized.
The US alerts its citizens
The US consulate initially announced on social network X the suspension of all its activities in Mexicali, capital of Baja California, and asked US citizens to take precautions.
“We are alerting United States citizens about this potential threat,” said the diplomatic representation.
The alert came after the operation against the criminal organization, although the Mexican government maintained that there were no elements that would allow it to confirm a specific threat.
The Mexican Security Secretariat stated hours later that national authorities “have not identified elements that confirm a specific or imminent risk for the population.”
Sheinbaum talks about an unconfirmed threat
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum explained during her daily press conference that the United States had warned about the possible presence or actions of a criminal group in the area.
According to the president, the US alert was based on information obtained by its own security agencies. According to Sheinbaum, whose government faces criticism for its soft policy on drug trafficking, the possible threat was not confirmed.
For her part, the governor of Baja California, Marina del Pilar Ávila, reported that security measures were reinforced in the state, with greater patrols and surveillance.
A strategic area for drug trafficking
Baja California is among the five most violent states in Mexico due, among other factors, to the presence of organizations linked to drug trafficking, according to official figures.
Mexicali and Tijuana, both border cities, also have strategic importance for the transit of narcotics to the United States.
The seizure of the 120 kilos of fentanyl was carried out with the collaboration of the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). Its director, Terrance Cole, highlighted the cooperation with the Mexican Secretary of Security, Omar García Harfuch.
The operation occurs in a context of cooperation between Mexico and the United States on security matters, although the Sheinbaum government maintains that this relationship should not imply foreign interference and that American support should be limited to the exchange of information.
Canada joins the US security alert
Canada joined the United States security warning about Mexicali and recommended its citizens avoid approaching government buildings and seek refuge in case of an incident, while Mexico insisted that it has not identified a specific or imminent threat in the border city.
The Canadian Embassy in Mexico published – on its official X account – a security update in which it reiterated the alert issued by the US representation and referred its compatriots to the official travel portal of the Canadian Government to consult more details and recommendations.
“On August 24, the US Embassy in Mexico issued a security alert for Mexicali. If you are there, avoid government buildings and seek shelter in case an incident occurs,” said the US delegation.
