Militarized Security and a Cartel Apology in Matamoros

On Friday, March 3, four U.S. citizens were abducted after alleged cartel gunmen shot up their car in Matamoros, a border city in Tamaulipas, Mexico. The victims were visiting Matamoros for a plastic surgery appointment. Four days later, they were located by Mexican authorities: two were alive and quickly returned to the United States; the other two had been murdered. A local woman was also killed during the shooting.

The arbitrary attack on U.S. citizens drew media attention from around the world, as well as strong words from U.S. politicians. Some conservative officials and pundits called for U.S. military operations to combat the cartels...