Deadly three-way gunfight between Mexican army and narcotraffickers

The State of Texas is warning residents to avoid crossing over to Mexican border towns, as Americans celebrate Independence Day on July 4. This advisory bolsters one that was issued by the U.S. Department of State in April 2011 that warned American citizens to be careful as they travel to Mexico, due to the ongoing war between national security forces and the various criminal narcotics organizations, including Los Zetas and the Cartel del Golfo.

A firefight between elements of the Mexican miltiary and police with narcoterrorists claimed the life of a popular Catholic priest, Fr. Marco Antonio Duran Romero, on July 2.  The well-known priest and TV personality was killed in cross-fire that ensued from the shoot-out.  Sources claim that members of Los Zetas were attempting to enter the Mexican city of Matamoros, which lies across the international border from Brownsville, Texas.  Citizens of the two cities were in shock at the news.

Father Marco Antonio died at approximately 3:40 p.m. July 2 at a local hospital as a result of gunshot wounds, according to a statement from the Catholic Diocese of Matamoros.  The diocese issued a statement that same evening and expressed deep pain at the death of Father Marco Antonio.  Father Roberto Sifuentes Aranda, Administrator of the diocese, signed a statement stating: "In the context of violence and insecurity in which our states and municipalities live, there have been many innocent victims and families who have endured the pain and destruction , fear and death. Father Marcos is not just another victim of this hatred between brothers. He was a man chosen to serve the people of God in this land stained with blood."

The diocesan spokesman continued, "The blood of Father Marcos, an innocent victim, represents a voice that cries to heaven asking for compassion and peace for our people, it means an invitation to the faithful and citizens to continue to pray and commit to working for justice and peace, it means the strong living voice of God Himself, who asks everyone to look up to the sky and straighten our roads". The funeral will be held today, July 4, in the Cathedral of Matamoros. 
 
According to various reports, the priest was struck in the chest by a bullet as he drove through Avenida Albino Hernandez in the Colonia Obrera in Matamoros.  Amateur video taken in the aftermath showed numerous military vehicles and scores of troops leaving the scene. 
 
Fr. Maroc Antonio Duran was known because of his television show on a local channel and his regular radio broadcasts wherein he discussed a wide variety of topics. He also served at the San Roberto Belarmino parish in the Colonia Portes Gil.
 
The firefight began at approximately 1:30 p.m. on July 2 in the Colonia Obrera neighborhood between groups of gunmen, while blockades began popping up throughout the city in an effort to keep Mexican police and army units out. The blockades were reported near the offices of Mexico’s Attorney General’s Office and the downtown military base as well.  Some of the avenues with blockades included Sendero Nacional, Avenida Pedro Cardenas, Avenida Longoria, Lauro Villar, Calle Sexta and several others main streets in the city.  At approximately 4:30 p.m. gunmen were still battling it out near Sendero Nacional, which is near the Universidad Autonoma de Tamaulipas.  Authorities arrived afterward to the areas in conflict and engaged the gunmen.
 
Sources claim that the firefights in Matamoros reported as a squad of gunmen from Los Zetas tried entered the city in an attempt to overthrow the Cartel del Golfo organization now controlling the flow of illegal drugs on its way to the U.S.  It was later that Mexican army units entered the affray, creating a three-way gunfight.