The FBI has reported that four American citizens have gone missing after being assaulted and kidnapped in Matamoros, Mexico. The group drove across the border to Mexico into the well-known border town on Friday. According to the FBI, as soon as the group entered Matamoros in their vehicle, they were fired upon by gunmen.
“All four Americans were placed in a vehicle and taken from the scene by armed men,” the FBI stated in a press release. It is unclear why the assailants attacked the Americans, but some sources speculate that they might have been taken in order for the assailants to draw a ransom for their return.
FBI Looks Into Disappearance
The FBI is dedicating energy to finding the missing Americans. The four were in a white minivan with North Carolina plates when they entered Mexico. According to law enforcement, the four haven’t been seen since they were kidnapped on Friday. As of the time of this writing, no criminal organizations have come forward to take responsibility for the kidnapping.
The FBI has announced a reward of $50,000 for the return of the Americans and the arrest of those responsible for their kidnapping. The bureau has stated that it’s working alongside Mexican law enforcement to get to the bottom of the incident and will pursue any leads it finds.
How You Can Help
Anyone with any information regarding the missing travelers is encouraged to reach out to the FBI San Antonio Division. Those concerned about revealing their identities can also anonymously submit tips online.
The kidnappers are likely still in Mexico, though any Americans along the border are encouraged to keep an eye out for the missing people. Otherwise, the search will likely center around the northeastern state of Tamaulipas.
State Department Escalates Tamaulipas Advisory Level
In response to the kidnapping, the US State Department has increased the advisory level for the state of Tamaulipas. Now, the northeastern Mexican state is considered a “Level 4” travel advisory, which means it’s considered so unsafe that Americans are encouraged not to travel there.
The State Department has cited numerous instances of crime and kidnapping as their stated reasons for warning Americans to stay away. The state has been the site of organized crime and violence against American tourists since the 1970s. It’s unclear whether the kidnappers who took the Americans on Friday were affiliated with any cartels or if they were lone criminals looking to score a ransom.
