TEXAS, USA—Hundreds of US troops have been deployed to the Rio Grande Valley in South Texas as part of a reinforcement of border security operations, days after Coast Guard personnel exchanged gunfire with individuals on the Mexican side of the river.
The Coast Guard confirmed that the incident occurred on
September 26 near Garceno, Texas, while its personnel were conducting joint
interdiction operations with other federal agencies. According to the agency,
the initial shots came from the Mexican side, and its agents returned fire. No
injuries or damage to US vessels or equipment were reported.
US Northern Command confirmed the deployment of hundreds of
troops to the region as part of Operation Ardent Vanguard, with the goal of
rapidly reinforcing US forces and federal agencies working along the border.
Sources cited by NewsNation place the number of deployed
military personnel at approximately 500, some of whom were transported by
Chinook helicopters to various islands in the Rio Grande sector. This figure,
however, has not been officially confirmed by Northern Command.
The incident is being investigated by U.S. authorities. Some
reports link the attack to drug trafficking organizations, although the Coast
Guard has not officially identified those responsible as members of a specific
cartel.
The deployment is in addition to other military and security
operations already underway in the area. U.S. forces have also used
surveillance systems and counter-drone technologies that, according to
officials, are linked to criminal organizations operating in the region.
The Coast Guard stated that it will continue working with
the Border Patrol, the Department of Defense, and Texas military authorities to
strengthen security in the Rio Grande and respond to threats against its
personnel.