U.S. warns ‘do not travel’ to this Mexican border town due to the rise in kidnappings

The U.S. Consulate in Matamoros, Mexico, issued a “do not travel” advisory to the Mexican border town of Reynosa due to kidnappings.

The advisory stated that Reynosa is a town in Tamaulipas, Mexico, about 20 miles south of McAllen, Texas, near the U.S.-Mexico border.

The Consulate General said it is “aware of organized kidnappings for ransom occurring.” It stressed that the kidnappers are targeting U.S. citizens, residents or anyone “with a connection to the U.S.” traveling on intercity buses leaving Reynosa.

The State Department travel advisory for Tamaulipas, the state where Matamoros is located, is currently at a Level 4: Do Not Travel due to kidnapping and violent crime.

A Level 4 State Department travel advisory is the highest warning given out by the State Department.

Travelers are asked to avoid bus travel in Tamaulipas, be aware of their surroundings and keep in touch with friends and family to notify them that they are safe.

One of the most recent kidnappings in Matamoros was of four South Carolina residents — LaTavia Washington McGee, Eric Williams, Shaeed Woodard and Zindell Brown — in March 2023. While Washington McGee and Williams survived, the kidnappers, who are believed to be connected to the Gulf drug cartel, killed Woodard and Zindell, according to CNN. Mexican authorities arrested six men for the kidnapping and attack days later.

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Katherine Rodriguez can be reached at krodriguez@njadvancemedia.com. Have a tip? Tell us at nj.com/tips.