(NewsNation) — Mexican cartels could be planning to shoot Border Patrol agents in the San Diego sector in response to a previous incident, according to an internal memo exclusively obtained by NewsNation.
Border Patrol warned agents in a memo on Thursday that the potential retaliation shooting could happen in the coming days.
The threats follow a Nov. 27 incident at the border in the Chula Vista area within the San Diego sector when an agent’s vehicle struck someone entering the country illegally.
Border Patrol believes the individual involved was a cartel member.
“Therefore, cartel leaders are angered, claiming the incident occurred without cause or remorse,” the memo said.
A video of the incident has circulated on social media, showing several men had just illegally scaled one fence along the border, and they were working on crossing another into the U.S. Images show a group of men on the ground, likely cartel operatives who were helping people cross into the U.S. illegally.
Border Patrol said the agent driving the vehicle was responding to this and he was fixated on the two men climbing the wall, and that’s when he collided with the suspected cartel members on the ground.
Now, top leaders from transnational criminal organizations are directing their members to fire at Border Patrol agents in retaliation.
“The information received indicated the shooting could possibly occur over the next few days,” the memo said. “All Agents, regardless of duty assignment, should remain vigilant.”
Sources within Border Patrol leadership told NewsNation that any time the cartel threatens to shoot at agents, it should be taken seriously, and the San Diego sector should be on high alert.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office, along with Customs and Border Protection and the Office of Professional Responsibility, are investigating the agent-involved car collision.
In October, the Sinaloa Cartel was given permission to fire at agents in the U.S., and law enforcement said the escalation in violence is concerning.
“This is the difference of the evolution of the cartels. They fear no one anymore, especially the U.S. law enforcement,” said Victor Avila, a former agent with Homeland Security. “We know that they have no regard, and they do whatever they want in Mexico, and they’re running a parallel government over there.”
The cartel runs a $13 billion-a-year industry, Congress estimates.
“In fact they do have the resources, and in fact they do have the capabilities and will use them against us,” Avila said.
