“Socalj” for Borderland Beat
 |
The United States Embassy in Mexico denounced as “false” a supposed U.S. government statement that purported to identify various “political leaders in Mexico with ties to drug cartels.”
The embassy published the “false” statement to social media on Tuesday in a post that included a five-word message:
“WARNING. This information is false.”
“About the supposed information that circulates on some [social media] accounts regarding a statement of the [U.S.] Department of State about Mexico, this embassy confirms that it is completely false,” it said.
The statement denounced by the U.S. and Mexican embassies includes a U.S. Department of Homeland Security seal and has the heading
It states:
“The State Department has confirmed the implementation of a secret sanctions mechanism targeting Mexican political figures identified as having ties to drug cartels. Marina del Pilar [Ávila], the Governor of Baja California, for her association with the leader of the ‘Los Rusos’ drug cartel in Baja California.
- Ruben Rocha Moya (Sinaloa)
- Américo Villareal (Tamaulipas)
- Samuel García (Nuevo León)
- Layda Sansores (Campeche)
- Ricardo Monreal Ávila (Ex-Governor, Zacatecas)
Rocha, Villareal, García and Sansores are current state governors. Monreal is the leader of the ruling Morena party in the lower house of Congress.
Dating App Kidnapping Warning
The US Embassy in Mexico did however issue a travel advisory concerning a rise in kidnappings tied to dating apps. The advisory comes in response to several incidents where US citizens were abducted by criminals using fake profiles on dating apps, targeting unsuspecting tourists at popular Mexican beach destinations such as Puerto Vallarta and Nuevo Nayarit.
The US Consulate General in Guadalajara has highlighted the modus operandi of these criminals. By creating fake profiles on dating apps, they lure individuals into a false sense of security, leading to dangerous situations.
Experts caution against trusting individuals encountered solely through social media interactions. “We’re giving you the impression that he’s much happier than normal,” one expert noted, identifying this as a potential red flag. It’s crucial for individuals to remain vigilant and confront any suspicious behavior to avoid falling victim to such scams.
Sources US Embassy Mexico, Mexico Daily News