Coast Guard personnel exchanged gunfire with individuals on the Mexican side of the border on September 26, while carrying out joint operations with other federal agencies near the town of Garceno in Starr County, Texas.
The incident occurred as part of a larger effort to address increased illegal activity in the area. Hundreds of U.S. troops and their equipment had been repositioned to the Rio Grande Valley, while 500 Mexican Army and National Guard personnel had been deployed to the Mexican side of the border.
According to officials, Coast Guard personnel were intercepting migrants crossing the Rio Grande River when the initial gunshots came from the Mexican side of the border. The Coast Guard responded with return fire, but it is unclear who fired the initial shots.
No injuries were reported to Coast Guard or other personnel, and no damage was reported to Coast Guard assets or equipment.
The U.S. Coast Guard is investigating the incident alongside federal partners. The incident is seen as an example of the increased illegal activity in the area, which the U.S. military has attributed to seasonal increases in attempted illegal activity.
The U.S. Ambassador to Mexico, Ronald Johnson, said that the embassy is helping to coordinate with Mexican forces that are being deployed in the border area. He stated that Mexican military commanders will communicate directly with U.S. forces deployed, and that the two countries intend to patrol both sides of the border together, protect their communities, and disrupt the operations of criminal and terrorist organizations.
NTC Report coverage is based on reporting from the original publisher.
View original reporting →
