Eagle Pass International Bridge No. 1 temporarily closed due to Mexican Special Forces crossing border in vehicle
By: Jose G. Landa, Eagle Pass Business Journal, Inc., Copyright 2015
The City of Eagle Pass, Texas International Bridge No. 1 was temporarily closed at approximately 11 A.M. on Wednesday, November 18, 2015 due to the crossing of five alleged armed members of the State of Coahuila, Mexico Special Forces known as G.A.T.E.S. (Grupo Armas y Tacticas Especiales) in a vehicle into the United States international boundary line, surprising American U.S. Department of Homeland Security personnel such as Customs and Border Protection working at the U.S.-Mexico border in Eagle Pass, Texas and its sister City of Piedras Negras, Coahuila, Mexico.
Witnesses reported seeing Mexican authorities on the United States side in Eagle Pass, Texas speaking with U.S. Department of Homeland Security personnel.
Mexican news media is reporting that the five Mexican special forces members were temporarily detained and disarmed by U.S. Department of Homeland Security personnel at the Eagle Pass International Bridge No. 1 and returned to Mexico about two hours later.
In light of the recent Paris, France multiple terrorist attacks, U.S. Department of Homeland Security personnel are on high alert throughout the United States, including the U.S.-Mexico border.
The motives or reasons why these five armed Mexican Special Forces members entered the United States in their official vehicle is unknown as of press time.
Attempts by the Eagle Pass Business Journal to contact U.S. Department of Homeland Security public information officers prior to posting of this article were unsuccessful. More details will be provided as the information becomes public.
This incident appears to be the first time that alleged armed members of a Mexican law enforcement authority have crossed into Eagle Pass, Texas through its two City-owned International Bridges.
