Nuevo León, Mexico – Banners signed by the Cartel del Noreste were discovered in at least three municipalities in Nuevo León, announcing their presence and issuing a stark warning against opposing groups and authorities. The banners, attributed to the armed cell known as ‘Los Chukys,’ were found in Juárez, Guadalupe, and Santa Catarina on Tuesday morning.
The messages on the white tarps were similar, differing only in the name of the municipality. The first part of the banners warned about their entry into these areas, emphasizing that they were not there to commit extortion or kidnapping.
“Important notice to the people of Guadalupe, we have arrived in this municipality, just so you know that we, the Northeast Cartel, are not here to mess with innocent people, nor to extort, nor to kidnap, nor to ask for fees (sic),” the message read.
The banners also mentioned other drug trafficking organizations and issued a warning to government authorities allegedly providing protection to these groups.
“We have come to cleanse the town of all the rats, like the Sinaloa Cartel, the Jalisco Cartel, the Gulf Cartel, etc. If you don’t want problems, open up or find a way to align yourselves (…) We don’t want problems with the Government, but if you don’t understand it in a good way, it will be in a bad way (…) And let it be clear that we are not playing around (sic),” the message continued.
At the bottom of all the messages was the signature “ATT: Cartel del Noreste Chukys,” referring to the armed group linked to the criminal organization. As of the time of writing, there are no records of arrests related to these events.
This is not the first instance of narco-banners signed by the Cartel del Noreste being found in Nuevo León. In late May, a similar message was found on a vehicular bridge on the National Highway, referencing robberies on the Nueva Laredo-Monterrey highway. The banners at that time were attributed to “Commander Benson” of the ‘Los Chukys’ faction.
“If the law of Nuevo Leon allows theft from the population and tourists, we, the Cartel del Noreste, do not allow robberies, kidnappings or extortion,” that message stated.
The Cartel del Noreste, a remnant of Los Zetas, engages in various illegal activities, including drug trafficking and production, migrant smuggling, and arms trafficking. Local media reports identify ‘Los Chukys’ as an armed wing of Operativa Coahuila, Operativa 35, or Battalion 35, a criminal cell that answers to the Cartel del Noreste in the border area between Tamaulipas, Nuevo León, Coahuila, and Texas.
The discovery of these banners has heightened tensions in the affected municipalities, with residents expressing concerns over the potential for increased violence and criminal activities. Authorities are under pressure to address the situation and prevent further escalation.
As the situation develops, the government and local law enforcement agencies are expected to increase their presence and surveillance in the affected areas to ensure the safety and security of the residents.