The Gulf Cartel in the border city of Matamoros, Tamaulipas, Mexico, has implemented a tax on homeowners for the privilege of having trees on their property. The criminal organization, known as Ciclones, has a history of operating without consequences in the city. Homeowners are being told to pay 100 pesos, or roughly $5 a month, per large tree that provides shade, or face repercussions. This practice was already in effect in other cities in Tamaulipas, such as Valle Hermoso and Rio Bravo, before being introduced in Matamoros. The Gulf Cartel has a reputation for extorting innocent victims and businesses, often with the complicity of local and state officials.
Last year, Breitbart Texas reported on the Gulf Cartel using alleged city employees to extort local businesses, with the money going to the criminal organization. Another case exposed a former top official with the city’s civil protection department who was involved in kidnappings for the Gulf Cartel. This individual, along with other city employees, were under investigation for allowing the Gulf Cartel to use city ambulances in the transportation of kidnapped U.S. citizens.
Breitbart Texas’ Cartel Chronicles features stories from citizen journalists in Mexico who risk their lives to expose cartel activities. This article, written by “J.A. Espinoza” from Tamaulipas, highlights the ongoing criminal activities of the Gulf Cartel in Matamoros.
