U.S. consulate issues Mexico security alert over potential Mexicali attack

Mexican authorities seized 265 pounds of fentanyl days before threatened attack

On August 25, the U.S. Consulate General in Tijuana posted a security alert warning of a potential armed attack by the criminal group Los Rusos against law enforcement facilities in Mexicali, in the Mexican border state of Baja California. The alert suspended U.S. government activities in and official travel to Mexicali for the day, and instructed U.S. citizens in the area to avoid government buildings, monitor local media and seek shelter if an incident occurred.

The warning followed an intelligence report attributed to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration that flagged possible attacks on the Mexicali Municipal Police and Mexico’s Attorney General’s Office, known by its Spanish initials FGR, according to the Spanish-language newspaper El País.

The potential attacks were allegedly planned in retaliation for the seizure of about 265 pounds of fentanyl from a clandestine warehouse in the Baja California state capital days earlier. Officials estimated the shipment was equivalent to roughly 4 million doses.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum addressed the alert at her Tuesday news conference, saying the U.S. Embassy decided to issue the warning based on information from U.S. agencies. She emphasized that the potential threat had not been confirmed.

“There was an alert about the possibility of a criminal group there. It was not confirmed, and based on information from their own agencies, from the U.S. Embassy, an alert was issued,” Sheinbaum said.

Asked whether authorities had identified any specific security threat in Mexicali, Sheinbaum said she had no additional information and that Mexican authorities would remain “alert and maintain surveillance in Mexicali.”

Mexican security forces increased their presence at Mexicali border crossings following the U.S. alert, the Mexican broadcaster NTR México reported.

The consulate’s alert also advised U.S. citizens in the area to remain aware of their surroundings and to follow instructions from Mexican law enforcement authorities. The suspension of U.S. government activities was effective only for August 25.

The alert did not specify the nature of the alleged threat beyond the targeting of police and federal attorney general facilities, or provide a timeline for the potential attacks.