Cartel leader’s arrest sparks fears of retaliation at US-Mexico border

U.S. Border Patrol agents in the Laredo, Texas, area are on high alert following the arrest of Carlos Treviño, a top leader of the Cartel del Noreste, also known as “El Bola.” Treviño, captured by Mexican authorities on Tuesday, Sept. 3, in Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas, is a key figure involved in kidnappings, extortion and drug and migrant trafficking.

His arrest is seen as a significant blow to the cartel. However, it raised concerns about possible retaliatory violence on both sides of the U.S.-Mexico border.

A memo from the Laredo Sector Intelligence Unit, obtained by NewsNation, warns of potential cross-border violence in response to Treviño’s capture. It advises U.S. Border Patrol agents to exercise caution, especially when dealing with military-aged undocumented individuals, as cartel members may attempt to flee into the United States illegally.

NEW: The arrest of a high-ranking member of the Cartel del Noreste (CDN) prompts Border Patrol to alert agents of the potential for an increase in “cross-border violence in the form of retaliatory attacks.”

The intel obtained via sources encourages agents to be cautious when… pic.twitter.com/xeRhfYjaKA

— Ali Bradley (@AliBradleyTV) September 3, 2024

The Cartel del Noreste is a splinter group of the infamous Los Zetas cartel and has become a dominant force in Nuevo Laredo, a key drug trafficking hub located along the Rio Grande. The city’s proximity to the U.S. makes it a prime target for criminal organizations fighting for control over major smuggling routes into Texas.

Nuevo Laredo is a vital corridor for drug and human trafficking, with multiple ports of entry that make it an ideal location for cartels seeking to move drugs into the U.S.

Control of this area is crucial for criminal organizations. Additionally, Treviño’s arrest could disrupt the balance of power among rival cartels.

The memo from the Laredo Sector Intelligence Unit noted that U.S. border agents would closely monitor the situation and provide updates as necessary. With law enforcement on high alert, concerns that Treviño’s capture could trigger an increase in violence increased as the Cartel del Noreste seeks to maintain control of key smuggling routes.

The cartel’s reach extends beyond Mexico, with criminal operations in the United States, Honduras, Guatemala and Colombia. Its activities include drug trafficking, human smuggling, extortion and other illicit enterprises. Treviño, one of the cartel’s most important leaders, was responsible for overseeing many of these operations.

Nuevo Laredo’s strategic location makes it a constant battleground for turf wars between rival cartels. Whoever controls the city gains access to critical smuggling routes into the U.S. This ongoing competition fuels persistent violence, and Treviño’s arrest could further escalate tensions as the cartel fights to retain its influence.

Mexican authorities transferred Treviño to Mexico City, where he faces charges related to his involvement in organized crime. Law enforcement agencies in both the U.S. and Mexico are bracing for the potential fallout from this high-profile arrest.