Grenade attack forces Mexican authorities to temporarily close Gateway bridge

THE BROWNSVILLE HERALD ^ | August 29, 2010

[SwinneySwitch]

Officials were forced to close northbound traffic on the Gateway International Bridge for a short time Sunday because of a grenade attack in Matamoros, officials said.

According to U.S. Customs and Border Protection spokesman Eduardo Perez, an incident in Matamoros at about 7:20 pm. caused Mexican authorities to divert traffic to from Gateway International Bridge to B&M International Bridge and Veterans International Bridge for approximately 45 minutes.

“CBP officers continue to process traffic and people while being ever vigilant, we will continue to ensure the security of our facilities and our top priority as always is the safety of the traveling public and our officers,” Perez said.

Traffic was back to normal at approximately 8:05 pm., he added.

A source with firsthand knowledge of the attack said shortly after 7 p.m. a group of men associated with the Zetas criminal organization threw two grenades at the Mexican Navy headquarters. The building is located only a few blocks from the bridge.

It is unknow if anyone was injured or killed in the attack, but Mexican marines reportedly fought back and fired at the Zetas.

The source also confirmed there were sporadic shootouts and a drive-by shooting earlier Sunday outside of Mexico's Attorney General's Office (PGR) in Matamoros.

The PGR office has been the scene of several attacks this month.

[NavyCanDo]

The only way things are going to begin to change in Mexico is if Americans stop spending their vacation time there. And I mean stop. Dump those condo’s and choose cruise ships that don't stop in Mexico. But sadly there are too many Americans, my in-laws included, who are aware of the violence outside the resort towns, but as long as they are safe in their Hotel, condo,and favorite beach, they just keep going, and keep spending their money. Much like the vacationers in Lebanon resorts who shut their eyes to the violence and killing and hate in other parts of the country.

[KarlInOhio]

Are those the same grenades they claimed could be picked up at U.S. gun shops?

[Former Proud Canadian]

Sorry, you are wrong. Nothing you or anyone else can do is going to change what is going on in Mexico. It is a failed state on its way to becoming a narco state. You have a third world population invading you, with all that means.

The US should finish the fence pronto. Enforce the existing immigration laws. Then encourage or force the northernmost Mexican states to succeed and form a new country, North Mexico. The US should attempt to build a real nation out of this northern rump. They should be able to finance themselves out of oil revenue and the wealth created by the US owned and operated factories.

At least then the criminals would have two borders to cross before they reached the US and, maybe, the hot war would be pushed south another 100 miles.

[NavyCanDo]

I didn't say it was the only thing that needs to be done. Of course the fence needs to go up, and we need to enforce the immigration laws, and you have some other ideas that I haven't heard spoken of yet. But I'll add my opinion that Americans who book Mexican vacations are not helping the situation.

[Former Proud Canadian]

We in the West think of solving problems democratically by reason and force of argument. These things don't work in the third world.

The west has been under attack and at war with moslems for 30 years and no one wants to talk about it, or how to win the war. The United States is experiencing an invasion from the south. If you can't decide who gets in to your country, you will lose your country, it's that simple. No one wants to talk about that either.