Reuters5 musicians who disappeared within the Mexican metropolis of Reynosa, close to the US border, have been murdered by suspected drug cartel members, Mexican authorities have mentioned.
9 alleged members of the infamous Gulf Cartel have been arrested on suspicion of homicide, based on Irving Barrios Mojica, legal professional basic for the Mexican state of Tamaulipas.
The musicians – often known as Grupo Fugitivo – have been kidnapped whereas travelling to a non-public occasion on 25 Could, Barrios Mojica mentioned. Quickly after, their family reported receiving ransom calls for.
Investigators are working to ascertain a motive for the killings.
The musicians have been aged between 20 and 40, and infrequently performed at native events and dances.
9 firearms and two autos have been additionally seized through the arrests.
Grupo Fugitivo carried out a variety of regional Mexican music, a style which incorporates corridos – songs which have traditionally been used to pay homage to drug cartels and their leaders.
It’s not instantly clear if the group was focused due to their music, or have been caught up within the violence that has lengthy beset Tamaulipas, the place the Gulf Cartel has a powerful presence.
The Trump administration has designated the Gulf Cartel, alongside a number of different felony teams, a “world terrorist organisation”.
In January, the US embassy in Mexico issued a degree 4 journey advisory, the best degree, warning its residents to not journey to a number of Mexican cities, together with Reynosa.
It cited the danger of “crime and kidnapping” and “more and more frequent gun battles occurring in and round” town.
“Closely armed members of felony teams usually patrol areas of the state and function with impunity notably alongside the border area from Reynosa to Nuevo Laredo,” the US state division mentioned.
“In these areas, native regulation enforcement has restricted capability to reply to incidents of crime.”
