Mexican investigators suspect organized crime in killing of a top federal official

Key Points

• Mexican investigators suspect organized crime in the assassination of federal official Ernesto Vásquez Reyna, likely as retaliation for recent fuel seizures.
• Vásquez Reyna was killed in broad daylight on a busy street in Reynosa, Tamaulipas, highlighting the dangers posed by drug cartels in the region.
• The authorities reported that more than 475,000 gallons of stolen fuel were seized in a July operation, which was considered a significant setback for organized crime.
• The area is under the influence of the Gulf cartel faction called the “Metros,” which is involved in selling stolen gasoline as an additional source of illegal revenue.

CIUDAD VICTORIA, Mexico (AP) — Mexican investigators on Tuesday pointed to organized crime in the killing of a top federal official in the northeastern state of Tamaulipas the previous day, saying it was likely retaliation for the authorities' recent seizures of stolen fuel there.

On Monday, gunmen killed Attorney General’s Office Tamaulipas state delegate Ernesto Vásquez Reyna in broad daylight, in the middle of the busiest avenue of the border city of Reynosa.

The Attorney General’s Office said in a statement that preliminary information suggested the killing was retaliation by a group it did not name.

Images from the scene of the assassination showed a smoldering black SUV and Vásquez Reyna’s body on the pavement. Authorities did not offer details on the attack other than to say that two additional vehicles were involved, and that one of them was recovered.

The fuel seizure in July in Reynosa was described as a “great setback” for organized crime. The statement said more than 475,000 gallons (1.8 million liters) of gasoline were seized, along with tanker trucks, pumps and containers for storing the fuel.

Reynosa is controlled by a faction of the Gulf cartel known as the “Metros.” Numerous drug cartels have gotten into the business of selling stolen gasoline as another line of illegal revenue.