Mexico confirms death of two kidnapped US citizens

During a press conference by President AMLO, it was reported that the other two kidnapped citizens were found alive, although one of them injured.

The Mexican government confirmed the death of two of the four Americans kidnapped in Mexico, the other two were found alive, although one of them was injured.

During a morning conference call, President Andrés Manuel López Obrador (AMLO) held with Américo Villarreal, Governor of Tamaulipas, it was reported that the four U.S. citizens who had been reported kidnapped were found. No further details were provided as to where in the state of Tamaulipas the victims were located.

The kidnapped citizens were identified as Zindell Brown, Eric James Williams and cousins Latavia "Tay" McGee and Shaeed Woodard. Only one person has been reported detained in connection with this incident.

The FBI reported the kidnapping

Four Americans traveling in a car with North Carolina license plates were attacked shortly after crossing the border into Mexico. They were then forcibly loaded into a pick-up truck by armed men.

An FBI press release denounced the incident and asked for public cooperation in locating the four Americans and the armed men who assaulted and kidnapped them while they were traveling in a minivan in the state of Tamaulipas, Mexico:

On March 3, 2023, four Americans crossed into Matamoros, Tamaulipas, Mexico driving a white minivan with North Carolina license plates. Shortly after crossing into Mexico, unidentified gunmen shot at the passengers in the vehicle. The four Americans were bundled into a vehicle and taken away by armed men.

AMLO offers condolences and rejects U.S. participation

The Mexican president offered his condolences for these events and acknowledged that the White House "has the right to protest". He also assured that there will be punishment for the responsible parties and any other people involved:

It is very regrettable (...) We did not hope for this (...) We are very sorry that this is happening in our country and we send our condolences to the families of the victims, to the friends, to the people and the government of the United States.

AMLO confirmed his rejection of any possibility of participation of U.S. authorities in Mexico, alleging that his country "is not a colony or protectorate of any foreign government":

President Biden has assured me that they will be respectful of our sovereignty and that is appreciated because we will not allow interventionism from any foreign country. Mexico is not a colony or protectorate of any foreign government.