Cartel Sparks Gunfight, Border Patrol Hits Back Hard [WATCH]

A confrontation unfolded on Monday afternoon near the southern border as U.S. Border Patrol agents exchanged gunfire with suspected members of a Mexican cartel.

The incident occurred as a group of migrants attempted to cross into the United States illegally, according to reports.

The shooting took place at approximately 1:30 p.m. near the Rio Grande in Fronton, Texas.

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Customs and Border Protection (CBP) confirmed the event in a statement, noting that no injuries were reported.

The agency, however, withheld additional details about the incident.

According to Fox News, the exchange of gunfire began when the migrants attempted to cross the river.

Law enforcement sources told Fox News reporter Bill Melugin that suspected cartel members fired the first shots, prompting Border Patrol agents to return fire.

BREAKING: Per multiple law enforcement sources, within the last hour, Border Patrol agents near Fronton, TX were fired upon from MX by suspected cartel gunmen as a group of illegal aliens were being brought across the river. I’m told BP returned fire, nobody hit on either side,…

— Bill Melugin (@BillMelugin_) January 27, 2025

The group of migrants reportedly did not succeed in entering the United States.

The area where the shooting occurred remains under investigation.

Multiple agencies, including the CBP Office of Professional Responsibility, the Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General, the FBI, and the Texas Department of Public Safety, are involved in probing the incident, CBP stated in an update Monday evening.

The Texas Department of Public Safety (TxDPS) has released Drone Footage of the suspected Cartel Terrorists that opened-fire earlier today, on U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agents patrolling near the Town of Fronton in Starr County. The Suspects were tracked by TxDPS Drones… pic.twitter.com/pss4kE5c8B

— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) January 28, 2025

This incident comes amid renewed efforts to secure the southern border.

President Trump has made border security and combating illegal immigration a central focus of his second term in office.

BREAKING: Border Patrol agents have been fired upon by suspected cartel members in Fronton, TX.

I think it’s time for the United States of America to set an example with these cartels.

Trump will not tolerate this, and I can’t wait for him to be informed. This is not going to… pic.twitter.com/oNbB9BLsYU

— Gunther Eagleman™ (@GuntherEagleman) January 27, 2025

Just last week, U.S. officials announced that the Pentagon would deploy up to 1,500 active-duty troops to the U.S.-Mexico border.

These additional forces would join approximately 2,200 National Guard and Reserve personnel already stationed in the region.

Reports also surfaced that the administration is considering sending as many as 10,000 troops to further fortify the border, as first reported by The Washington Post.

In addition to the increased military presence, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) reported significant enforcement activity.

On Monday, ICE agents arrested 1,179 individuals and issued 853 immigration detainers.

pic.twitter.com/zCJszn9gG6

— U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (@ICEgov) January 28, 2025

This followed a busy Sunday, during which the agency carried out 956 arrests and lodged 554 detainers.

#Immigration #ICEERO pic.twitter.com/ee4zKKD6aT

— U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (@ICEgov) January 27, 2025

The shootout highlights the ongoing challenges faced by law enforcement along the southern border, where migrant crossings, cartel activity, and security concerns often intersect.

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