US Border Patrol and alleged Mexican cartel members trade gunfire at border: report

Alleged Mexican cartel members reportedly fired on US border agents as they tried to cross the frontier amid Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown.

Shots have been fired from inside Mexico towards the US at border agents, it's been claimed, as Donald Trump’s anti-immigration plans crank up.

Mr Trump has made closing the US-Mexico border at central part of his presidency and has sent thousands of personnel to the frontier in the last few days.

The ugly incident happened on Monday, local time, and coincided with a group of migrants trying to illegally cross into the US, according to authorities.

It took place near Fronton Island, Texas, in the middle of the Rio Grande which marks the border, around 400km south of San Antonio. The US claims the island which Mexico disputes.

Shots were heard at about 1.30pm near the island, US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) said in a statement.

A drone, operated by the US Border Patrol, later showed what appeared to be Mexican cartel members close to the frontier holding guns in the air.

The apparent cartel members had started firing as the group of migrants were trying to cross the river, Fox News reported, citing law enforcement sources.

Border patrol agents returned fire, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS).

“DPS responded to assist the US Border Patrol after agents received gunfire from cartel members in Mexico while patrolling in Fronton,” Lieutenant Chris Olivarez wrote on X alongside drone footage of the incident.

An alleged Mexican cartel member stared up at a US Border Patrol drone. Picture: Texas Department of Public Safety.

“DPS drone operators captured the gunmen fleeing (to) Mexico due to military presence and seeking refuge on an island between the US and Mexico,” he added.

“The State of Texas will continue to monitor the area closely and use every resource available to prevent transnational threats to our law enforcement partners and the homeland.”

The footage showed at least four men walking along the river bank.

At times the men could be seen brandishing guns and pointing them in the air directly at the camera on a drone, or potentially at other border patrol drones.

A number of the man that vanished into shrubbery on the island.

No injuries were reported, according to authorities.

Fronton Island has become a key location for people smuggling.

The island allows for an easier route across the Rio Grande. US and Texas officials have tried to secure the island by clearing plant growth and putting up barbed wire.

The migrants who were trying to cross the border also went back to Mexico, authorities said.

He then brandishes a gun.

Last week, two hikers – one from the US, the other from Canada – were allegedly attacked by Mexican cartel members. One of the hikers was shot according to US Customs and Border Protection.

That incident occurred on Wednesday at 11am in the Jacumba Wilderness, in California, east of San Diego.

The hikers “were approached by two armed individuals and were commanded to come toward the armed men,” said CBP in a statement.

“When the hikers refused to follow the armed subjects’ commands, the assailants fired a volley of shots toward the hikers, striking one victim in the leg.

A man holds a gun up at apparently a drone. Picture: Texas Department of Public Safety.

“The assailants advanced on the downed hiker and his Canadian companion, robbing them of their cell phones and backpacks”.

The attackers were seen retreating back into Mexico.

The Pentagon has said up to 1500 active duty troops will be sent to the Mexican border to join about 2200 US National Guard and Reserve personnel.

Donald Trump was also considering sending up to 10,000 troops to the border, the Washington Post reported last week.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement said it arrested 1179 people and lodged 853 immigration detainers on Monday – a day after it carried out 956 arrests and issued 554 detainers.

Originally published as US Border Patrol and alleged Mexican cartel members trade gunfire at border: report