Drug cartel apologizes for kidnapping Americans, turns in alleged participants

The cartel statement follows a lethal incident in Matamoros last week that saw a group of four Americans kidnapped by armed individuals amid a shootout between cartel factions in the city.

By Ben Whedon

Updated: March 9, 2023 - 10:34pm

The Mexican Gulf cartel on Thursday apologized for a recent kidnapping incident that saw two Americans perish and has opted to hand over alleged participants to law enforcement.

"The Gulf Cartel Grupo Escorpiones strongly condemns the events of Friday, March 3 in which unfortunately an innocent working mother died and four American citizens were kidnapped, of which two died," read a letter the Associated Press obtained from local law enforcement that was purportedly from the Scorpions faction of the cartel.

"For this reason, we have decided to hand over those involved and directly responsible for the events who at all times acted under their own determination and indiscipline and against the rules in which the CDG has always operated," it further read. NBC News indicated that American authorities believe the letter to be genuine.

The cartel statement follows a lethal incident in Matamoros last week that saw a group of four Americans kidnapped by armed individuals amid a shootout between cartel factions in the city. Two of the travelers have been confirmed dead while the survivors are now recovering in Texas.

The bodies of the dead were returned to the United States on Thursday, Fox News reported.

The city of Matamoros plays host to several competing drug cartel factions due to its status as a vital staging ground for trafficking operations into the United States.

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