Skip to main content

Already a subscriber? Make sure to log into your account before viewing this content. You can access your account by hitting the “login” button on the top right corner. Still unable to see the content after signing in? Make sure your card on file is up-to-date.

The United States Border Patrol has issued a warning to agents in California’s San Diego Sector of potential retaliatory attacks by Mexican cartels following an incident in which a Border Patrol agent struck a suspected cartel member with a vehicle.

Let’s bring you up to speed: On November 27, a US Border Patrol agent was involved in an incident at the U.S.-Mexico border near San Diego, where the agent struck a man with an SUV during an illegal border crossing attempt. The event, captured on video, shows a group of migrants using ladders to scale border fences while the agent approaches in a vehicle. As the agent drives toward the group, one man freezes on the road and is hit by the SUV, briefly falling to the ground before quickly getting up and fleeing back toward Mexico.

The person struck by the Border Patrol agent’s SUV was briefly knocked to the ground but quickly got up and fled back toward Mexico. The agent has since been reassigned to desk duties while the incident undergoes review by the US Attorney’s Office and CBP’s Office of Professional Responsibility.

1000w Q95 5

What’s going on now: Shortly after the incident, the Border Patrol put out a warning of potential cartel retaliation, citing intelligence that Mexican cartel leaders had ordered attacks on agents in response to the video. According to an internal memo, high-ranking cartel leaders were angered by the incident, claiming it occurred without justification or remorse. The memo warned that shootings targeting Border Patrol agents in the San Diego Sector could happen in the coming days, specifically mentioning the Imperial Beach and Chula Vista stations as areas of concern. Agents were advised to remain vigilant as the situation escalated following the viral spread of the footage depicting the collision.

1000w Q95 1

This all comes amidst growing concerns about cartel violence directed at US Border Patrol agents, National Guard members, and contractors working along the border. In a recent incident near Eagle Pass, Texas, contractors building border barriers were reportedly targeted by gunfire from cartel members, prompting heightened security measures. In personal interviews we conducted with Texas National Guardsmen earlier this year, one told us about an incident where armed cartel members taunted them from across the Rio Grande, brandishing weapons and making threatening gestures. According to the guardsman, they would respond by gesturing back at the cartel members.

JOIN THE MOVEMENT

Keep up to date with our latest videos, news and content