Yes, you read the headline correctly. The Mexican drug cartel blamed for kidnapping four Americans and killing two of them has reportedly written a letter of apology.
In the letter, obtained by the Associated Press through a Tamaulipas state law enforcement source, the Scorpions faction of the Gulf cartel apologized to the residents of Matamoros where the Americans were kidnapped.
They also apologized to the Mexican woman who died in the cartel shootout, as well as the four Americans and their families.
According to the letter, those responsible for the kidnapping and deaths acted on their own outside of the cartel’s knowledge and they plan to turn those directly involved in the senseless violence over to the authorities.
“We have decided to turn over those who were directly involved and responsible in the events, who at all times acted under their own decision-making and lack of discipline,” the letter reads, adding that those individuals had gone against the cartel’s rules, which include “respecting the life and well-being of the innocent.”
A photo of five men face down on the pavement and bound accompanied the letter, the Associated Press confirms.
A state security official confirmed five men were found tied up inside of a vehicle they were searching for, along with the letter.
It is not uncommon for drug cartels to issue statements, letters, or other communications with rivals and authorities.
In a situation as high profile as this, involving the deaths of Americans, this is clearly a move to try to smooth things over before the block gets too hot and affects their business.
Latavia “Tay” McGee, Eric Williams, Zindell Brown, and Shaeed Woodard of South Carolina took a road trip together to Mexico, where Tay was scheduled to undergo a cosmetic procedure.
The group was kidnapped by armed gunmen on Friday (March 3) when they crossed into Matamoros, in the northeastern state of Tamaulipas.
Sadly, Zindell Brown and Shaeed Woodard were killed.
READ: Family Of Zindell Brown Launches $100K GoFundMe For Autopsy & Funeral
Latavia “Tay” McGee and Eric Williams, who suffered a gunshot wound to the leg were found alive.
U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland blamed the drug cartels for the Americans’ deaths.
“The DEA and the FBI are doing everything possible to dismantle and disrupt and ultimately prosecute the leaders of the cartels and the entire networks that they depend on.”
Tamaulipas state prosecutor’s office announced it had seized an ambulance and a medical clinic in Matamoros that were allegedly used to provide treatment to the Americans after the shooting.
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Source: AP News
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