The violence has also reignited debate over U.S. involvement in combating Mexican cartels, particularly after comments by President Donald Trump.
SAN ANTONIO — As uncertainty and violence grip parts of Mexico following the reported killing of a powerful drug cartel leader, many people in South Texas with family ties across the border say they are feeling anxious, angry and divided over how to address the unrest.
On Sunday, the U.S. Department of State issued a warning encouraging U.S. citizens in Mexico to shelter in place amid security concerns.
The advisory followed reports that the Mexican army killed Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, also known as “El Mencho,” during a military operation. Oseguera Cervantes was identified as the leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, one of Mexico’s most powerful criminal groups.
In the hours after the operation, videos and photos circulated on social media appearing to show fires, road blockades and armed confrontations attributed to cartel retaliation.
At the Mexican Consulate in San Antonio, Maria Chavarria Guadjarado said she was alarmed by the images of violence.
“And all those cartels, I can’t believe what they’re doing to their own people,” she said. “That’s what I don’t understand. It makes me angry.”
Chavarria Guadjarado said her daughter had been vacationing in Mexico but left early Sunday morning, just hours before the unrest escalated.
“Yes, she got nervous and said, ‘Mom, we made it out in time to come back. Who knows what would have happened?’ Everything happened so fast,” she said.
Antonio Jasso, who has relatives in Mexico, said he hopes authorities take decisive action to curb cartel violence. Viewing the images of destruction left him disheartened, he said.
“Disappointment, because what they say about there being no insecurity in Mexico is a lie,” Jasso said. “It has always been there, it will never go away, and so will corruption.”
The violence has also reignited debate over U.S. involvement in combating Mexican cartels, particularly after comments by President Donald Trump about taking aggressive action against drug trafficking organizations.
Jasso said he supports stronger U.S. measures.
“I think that what our president Donald Trump is saying, that he wants to declare war against drug lords in Mexico, is an excellent option,” he said.
Chavarria Guadjarado disagreed, saying she believes both the Mexican and U.S. governments share responsibility for addressing the crisis.
“It’s not fair how things are being treated right now, what’s happening in Mexico with all these poor people,” she said. “Everything is very corrupt, and I don’t agree with the president of Mexico or the president here in the United States.”
She said she hopes Mexican authorities can protect citizens from further cartel violence.
“Prayers for all of Mexico and all of us,” she said. “Just live day by day and pray everything goes well.”