An American hiker was shot and robbed by suspected Mexican cartel members on Wednesday, just ahead of the US Marine deployment from Camp Pendleton to the border.
The incident occurred around noon when a group of hikers, including US and Canadian citizens, was confronted by two armed individuals approximately 1,000 feet north of the international border.
Border patrol said a group of hikers were bombarded with gunfire, with the victim struck twice and robbed in El Centro Sector’s area in the Jacumba Wilderness.“Cartels think they can bring their war here. Think again!” Chief Patrol Agent Gregory K. Bovino posted to X Wednesday afternoon.“Americans won’t be intimidated. Our agents & BORTAC will confront these threats HEAD ON!”Bovino included a video in his social post of nearly a dozen agents carrying what appears to be the victim on a gurney into a helicopter.
Well, it looks like they are also going to be confronted by US Marines as well. I live next to the Marine Air Station Miramar. Since early this morning, the soothing sounds of regularly launched military aircraft have been in the background.
The attackers, believed to be cartel members, approached two hikers from the group and ordered them to come closer, speaking in Spanish. When the hikers didn’t comply, fearing potential kidnapping, the gunmen fired warning shots into the air. As the hikers attempted to leave, the assailants opened fire, striking one American hiker in the leg.
The attackers then took advantage of the vulnerable hikers and robbed them of their backpacks and phones.Luckily, the Imperial County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call reporting the incident and Border Patrol agents in the El Centro Sector responded to assist the hiker.About an hour after the 911 call was made, the Mountain Disrupt Unit, Border Patrol Tactical Unit, and Border Patrol Search, and Rescue found the victim in the wilderness.Authorities were able to stabilize the victim and airlifted him to a nearby medical center in San Diego for treatment.
It must be noted that President Donald Trump floated the possibility of sending US troops into Mexico to combat the country’s drug cartels during remarks during a post-inauguration day press questioning during an executive order signing session.
Trump’s comments came in response to a question about whether he would consider deploying U.S. special forces to target cartels if they were designated as foreign terrorist organizations.”Could happen,” he said in the Oval Office after his inauguration. “Stranger things have happened.”..Trump designated international cartels and criminal organizations such as MS-13 and Tren de Aragua as Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs) and Specially Designated Global Terrorists (SDGTs) under an executive order.These groups will be declared a national security threat, invoking the International Emergency Economic Powers Act to disrupt their operations.Trump repeatedly vowed to crack down on cartels throughout his successful presidential campaign.
Trump’s statements came BEFORE cartel members began shooting Americans on our side of the border.
I will simply note that many more American troops are now stationed along the border than when I woke up this morning.
CLICK HERE FOR FULL VERSION OF THIS STORY