Aeromóvil Special Forces Group (GAFES) deployed from Matamoros to Nuevo Laredo

Aeromóvil Special Forces Group (GAFES) deployed from Matamoros to Nuevo Laredo

Posted on Jan 18, 2008 in Narco Wars by PMC Comments Off

Arriving on board military transport at Nuevo Laredo International Airport, 250 members of Aeromóvil Special Forces Group (GAFES), Mexico’s equivalent of the US Army’s elite Ranger’s, boarded a convoy of 32 military vehicles to be dispersed at various points around the city. The troops will be garrisoned with the cities 1st Motorized Cavalry Regiment here in Nuevo Laredo.

The arrival occurred at the same time that the mayors of the border cities of Tamaulipas met privately in Ciudad Victoria with Governor Eugenio Hernandez Flores and authorities of the Federal Security Service.

The Federal Security Service is a division of the PFP.

Elements of GAFES were quickly dispersed to various locations around the city, from Blvd. Colon to the western colonias of the city.

The troopers were also stationed at both bridges in Nuevo Laredo to assist IFA or Mexican Customs in searching vehicles entering Mexico for prohibited items such as weapons and other contraband.

The seizure of weapons and ammunition smuggled in from the United States is a priority in President Calderons initiative against the cartels.

In addition to troops in Nuevo Laredo, Reynosa received 600 troops, Matamoros 400 with assistance of Naval Marines from their bases east of Matamoros on the coast.

All highways at this point have manned checkpoints to check vehicles going in both directions.

Tags: boinas rojas, border violence, Calderon, GAFES, Marina Mexicano, narcowars, Operation Northeast