Five musicians known as Grupo Fugitivo were tragically murdered in the Mexican border city of Reynosa, as revealed by local authorities who suspect cartel involvement in the killings. Following their disappearance on May 25, nine alleged members of the Gulf Cartel were arrested in connection with the crime, according to Irving Barrios Mojica, the attorney general for Tamaulipas state.
The musicians were en route to a private event when they were kidnapped, with relatives reporting demands for ransom shortly thereafter. Investigators are now probing the potential motives behind their deaths. The victims, aged between 20 and 40, were well-known in the community, frequently performing at local celebrations and dances.
As part of the arrests, investigators confiscated nine firearms and two vehicles. The group showcased regional Mexican music, often featuring corridos, which are songs that historically have celebrated drug cartels and their leaders. The circumstances surrounding the musicians’ targeting remain unclear, raising questions about whether their association with this genre of music played a role, or if they simply became ensnared in the ongoing violence plaguing Tamaulipas, an area heavily dominated by the Gulf Cartel.
The US government has branded the Gulf Cartel and multiple other groups as "global terrorist organizations." In response to escalating violence, the US embassy in Mexico issued a level 4 travel advisory, cautioning citizens against visiting several cities, including Reynosa, due to risks involving crime, kidnapping, and gun violence. The State Department noted that heavily armed gang members patrol areas within the state and operate with little regard for local law enforcement, particularly in the border regions stretching from Reynosa to Nuevo Laredo.
