Mexican Band Members ‌Killed; Gulf ‌Cartel ⁤Blamed in Reynosa Slayings

⁤ Updated May 30, 2025
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Reynosa, Mexico​ — The bodies of five members of the ⁢band El Fugitivo‌ have been discovered​ in Reynosa, Tamaulipas, after they disappeared Sunday evening. the band,known for playing ranchera tunes and corridos,had posted photos on social media ‌at the international bridge connecting Reynosa⁤ and⁢ McAllen,Texas,expressing their dreams ‌of‌ performing in⁣ the ‍U.S.

Irving Barrios Mojica,⁣ the attorney general of Tamaulipas state, announced Thursday that nine​ arrests have‍ been made in⁤ connection with ⁤the slayings. ⁤He attributed the crime to the Gulf cartel, which dominates the region. Though, ‌Mojica did not disclose a motive or‌ the ⁣manner in which the ​musicians were killed.

The band members,mostly in their 20s,vanished ​while traveling to a⁢ private event‍ in Reynosa around ‍10 p.m.Sunday. Their‍ disappearance sparked ‌demonstrations ‍by worried relatives and friends, who rallied at ⁣border bridges ⁢and other locations in Reynosa, demanding their safe⁤ return.

Tamaulipas, which borders Texas and the Gulf of Mexico, is notorious for its high rates of homicides and disappearances. The U.S. ​State Department advises against travel to Tamaulipas due to the high risk of crime⁤ and‌ kidnapping. The⁢ agency notes that ‍heavily armed criminal groups operate with impunity, notably ​along the border region.

Musicians in Mexico have often been targets of gang violence. In 2020, 10 members ⁢of Sensación Musical were killed in Guerrero state, a result of ‍disputes ⁣between⁤ rival ​armed groups.

What’s next

The inquiry into the role of the Gulf cartel in the musician ‌slayings continues, with forensic examinations ongoing at the site were the bodies ⁢were discovered. Authorities are working to determine the motive behind the kidnapping and murders in Reynosa.