Further Violence Reported at Old Border Crossing

There has been further violence at the old border crossing at Subteniente Lopez, Chetumal.  According to a report on POR ESTO, contrabandistas resorted to extreme violence at midday on Wednesday to the extent that the Mexican agency for Joint Operations had to be called in to quell the situation. Two media workers were attacked and the vehicle of one of them was vandalized during the mayhem. According to the report, twenty contrabandistas led by Gemy Santa Rosa y Geiner, became irate when Mexican custom personnel attempted to seal off an area which was being used for contraband.  The police were first to arrive; they were attacked when they detained three persons. But soon after, reinforcements arrived at the scene. According to the report, the contrabandistas sought refuge inside the Free Zone where Mexican law enforcement has no jurisdiction.  At around four o’clock, the officers departed, but the old bridge remained closed. Th e area has become volatile due to efforts to curb contraband goods from the Commercial Free Zone making their way into Chetumal.