Matamoros, Tamaulipas
Encyclopedia
Matamoros, officially known as Heroica Matamoros, is a city in the northeastern part of Tamaulipas
, in the country of Mexico
. It is located on the southern bank of the Rio Grande
, directly across the border from Brownsville, Texas
, in the United States
. Matamoros is the second largest and second most populous city in the state of Tamaulipas. As of 2010, Matamoros counts with a population of 489,193. If its floating population
is included in the census count, however, the population of Matamoros can reach up to approximately 700,000 habitants. In addition, the Matamoros–Brownsville Metropolitan Area
counts with a population of 1,136,995, making it the 4th largest metropolitan area in the Mexico-US border. Matamoros is the 39th largest city in Mexico and anchors the second largest metropolitan area in Tamaulipas.
Matamoros is one of the fastest growing cities in Mexico
, and has one of the fastest growing economies
in the country. The economy of the city is based on its international trade with the United States
through the NAFTA
agreement, and it is home to one of the most promising industrial sectors in Mexico
, mainly due to the presence of maquiladoras
. In Matamoros, the automotive industry hosts the assembly and accessories plants for brands such as General Motors
, Ford, Chrysler
, BMW
, Mercedes Benz, and several others. Likewise, Matamoros' economy has historically been based on agriculture, since northern Mexico's biggest irrigation zones are in the municipality
. PEMEX
announced a multi-billion offshore drilling project for the port of Matamoros, one of the future prospects for Mexico's oil industry.
Additionally, Matamoros is a major historical site, since it was site of several battles and events of the Mexican War of Independence
, the Mexican Revolution
, the Texas Revolution
, the Mexican American War, the American Civil War
, and the French Intervention
that allowed the city to earn its title of Undefeated, Loyal, and Heroic. In addition, the Mexican National Anthem was played for the first time in public at The Opera Theatre in the city of Matamoros, Tamaulipas. On another note, Matamoros has a semi-arid climate, with mild winters, and hot, humid summers. Matamoros and Brownsville, Texas
are home to the Charro Days
and Sombrero Festival
annual celebrations, which are a two–nation fiestas that commemorate the heritage of the U.S. and Mexico.
Moreover, Matamoros is well-known for being the birthplace and base of the Gulf Cartel
.
, and the Huastecs—before their extermination by the Spanish colonials.
arrived to the Americas at the port of Veracruz
, a captain named Alonso Álvarez de Pineda
carried out a brief expedition to the region of northern Tamaulipas, where he named the town known today as Rio Bravo (Rio Grande) as Rio de las Palmas (Palms River). Nevertheless, the actual founding of Matamoros began in 1686, when Captain Alonso de León
explored the area and concluded that the Rio Grande River was an excellent route for navigation, and that the area of Matamoros was an ideal spot for cattle raising.
In the year 1749, thirteen enterprising families, twelve from Camargo
and one from Reynosa
, decided to invest and begin a new, influential cattle industry in the area. Former landowners were reluctant that this new investment would be successful, since the frequent overflows from the Rio Grande caused severe floods, and because ranches were occasionally attacked by Indians. Nonetheless, these thirteen families effectively carried out their business plan and structuralized 113 cattle-raising sites. In the year 1774, they officially named the area San Juan de los Esteros Hermosos, known today was Matamoros.
In order to colonize the province of Nuevo Santander
in 1793, Francisco Pueyes and Manuel Julio Silva, two Franciscan missionaries, established a parish in the main plaza
of Matamoros and proposed a new name for the community, Villa del Refugio, in honor of the parish and patron saint, Our Lady of the Refuge of the Estuaries.
, a hero of the Mexican War of Independence
who participated along José María Morelos
. During the Texas Revolution
(1836), Matamoros was the fortress for many Mexican soldiers against rebel attacks. In 1851, the city of Matamoros was again heroic for defending soldiers against attacks, and the troops of Francisco Avalos were able to repel their enemy.
After that victory, the state congress granted Matamoros the title of “Heroic,” countersigned by the Mexican Congress.
The future of the city radically changed after Matamoros declared itself an international free trade zone
in 1858. This transformation brought upon urbanization, industrialization, and the expansion of the Bagdad Port, which experienced an economic boom for being the only entrance port for mercenaries for the Confederate States of America
during the American Civil War
. The Port of Matamoros, also known as the Port of Bagdad, was during the American Civil War
one of the leading commercial ports of the world.
. An expedition led to attack Matamoros was both controversial and divisive to defeat the forces of Antonio López de Santa Anna
. The roots of the controversy lay in the division within the provisional government between Governor Henry Smith
and the General Council
over whether to remain loyal to the Constitution of 1824 and support the liberals of Mexico
in the Federalist cause against Santa Anna or to declare independence from Mexico a search to become an independent territory. The division, on the other hand, was mirrored within the provisional government and among the commanders in the field, who compounded the situation and contributed to the near destruction of the Texan army.
, the city of Matamoros was simply a sleepy little border town across the Rio Grande from Brownsville, Texas
. It had, for several years, been considered a port, but it had relatively few ships arriving. Previous to the war, accounts mention that not over six ships entered the port each year. Nevertheless, in about four years, Matamoros, due to its proximity to Texas, was to assume state as a port, and multiply its inhabitants in number. Following is a quote from a Union General in 1885 describing the importance of the port in Matamoros:
The cotton trade brought together in Bagdad, Tamaulipas
and Matamoros over 20,000 speculators from the Union
and the Confederacy
, England
, France
, and Germany
. Bagdad had grown from a small, seashore town to a "full-pledge town." The English-speaking population in the area by 1864 was so great that Matamoros even had a newspaper printed in English—it was called the Matamoros Morning Call. In addition, the port exported cotton to England and France, where millions of people needed it for their daily livelihood, and it was possible to receive fifty cents per pound in gold for cotton, when it cost about three cents in the Confederacy, "and much more money was received for it laid down in New York and European ports." Other sources mention that the port of Matamoros traded with London
, Havana
, Belize
, and New Orleans. The Matamoros and New York City
trade agreement, however, continued throughout the war and until 1864, and it was considered to be "heavy and profitable."
By 1865, Matamoros was described as a prosperous town of 30,000 people, and Lew Wallace
informed General Ulysses S. Grant
that neither Baltimore
or New Orleans could compare itself to the growing commercial activity of Matamoros. Nevertheless, after the collapse of the Confederacy
, “gloom, despondency, and despair” became evident in Matamoros—markets shut down, business almost ceased to exist, and ships were rarely seen. “For Sale” signs began to sprout up everywhere, and Matamoros returned to its role of a sleepy little border town across the Rio Grande
.
The conclusion of the American Civil War
brought a severe crisis to the now abandoned Port of Bagdad, a crisis that until this day the port has never recovered from. In addition, a tremendous hurricane in 1889 destroyed the desolated port. This same hurricane was one of the many hurricanes during the period of devastating hurricanes of 1870 to 1889, which reduced the population of Matamoros to nearly half its size, mounting with it another upsetting economic downturn.
, the port of Bagdad was the scene for the Battle of Bagdad, where the Mexican army
defeated the French army
and its conservative allies.
, the generals Francisco Mújica and Lucio Blanco
executed the first agrarian reform
for land in the country (1913). Consequently, in the years to come, Matamoros enjoyed another golden era during The Cotton Age, from 1948 to 1962. This epoch placed Matamoros as the finest and largest cotton
producer and exporter in the state of Tamaulipas
and of the country.
, foreign investment has multiplied in Matamoros, resulting in an enormous population growth, prominently from other Mexican states, like San Luis Potosi
and Veracruz
.
, due to the importance of the strong presence of foreign investment in the area. Maquiladoras are a direct representation of American presence in the state of Tamaulipas; the trade of goods through the international bridges and the flow of people on both sides of the border play a huge role in the economic posture of Matamoros.
Matamoros is home to more than 122 maquiladoras dedicated in its majority to export to the United States
. This industry produces technological goods like cables, electrical appliances, electrical components, vehicle parts and accessories, textiles, chemical products, machinery, and computer products. The city operates about 35% of the Tamaulipas’ maquiladora industry, placing second, just behind Reynosa
. In December 2004, the maquiladora industry gave employment to more than 52,777 workers in Matamoros, which showed an increase of 576 jobs compared to 2003, formulating a 60% increase in employment.
, corn
(maíz), beans, vegetables, and sunflower
by millions each year. The terrain in Matamoros categorized in two factions: gley soil
, land that is only used for grazing by livestock, and arable land
, used solely for growing crops.
The municipality of Matamoros is found the Rio Grande River basin, and by means of irrigation
, the agricultural sector flourishes in production. The two main water suppliers are the Rio Grande River and the Arroyo del Tigre, which have dams that irrigate the region.
of its meat is the principal income of ranchers in the region. In fact, livestock production goes as the following: bovine (62%), pigs
(16%), and sheep (9%).
In the northern part of Tamaulipas, near the municipality of Matamoros, the breeding of calves is characterized and well-known for having European blood. However, this is only seen among specialized, high quality meat industries that breed Charolais cattle
, Simmental cattle
, and the Zebus.
, and with a total of 70,000 hectares of the Laguna Madre
. In addition, there is fishing activities in spots like Higuerillas, la Capilla, Rincón de las Flores, el Mezquital, and Playa Bagdad. The city counts with 10 fishing corporations operating in all of these areas.
Bagdad Beach, also known as Playa Lauro Villar, is 27km east of Matamoros, about 20 minutes in trajectory. At Playa Bagdad, important fishing tournament
s are held each year, where participants from all over the state of Tamaulipas
get together. During Holy Week
, the beach experiences an abundant presence of visitors, primarily from Nuevo León
, when Playa Bagdad becomes the host of several concerts, sport tournaments, and festivals.
In 1985, during the yearly festival of ‘Festival del Mar,’ Rigo Tovar
, along with other important attractions, played in Playa Bagdad. Bands like ‘La Firma’, ‘La Mira de Linares,’ and ‘La Leyenda,’ along with several other pop groups, have also played during the month of April
, the most visited period of the year. In addition, Playa Bagdad counts with several important seafood
restaurants. Jet Ski
, surfing
, and even motocross
and off-road 4x4 racing are allowed with few area restrictions. In a single day during summer breaks, the number of visitors can get as high as 180,000.
dating from central historic moments: the Spanish colonist era
, the Mexican War of Independence
, and the contentious Mexican Revolution
. Unique and curious items are also exhibited, such as an iron casket where the remains of fearless General Canales once rested (fought against both American and French invasions) and the dark tunnels lounged beneath the construction, inevitable reference for local horror stories. The existence of a multipurpose hall and newspaper library also provide extra interest to the museum.
The ‘Museo de Arte Contemporáneo de Tamaulipas (MACT),’ inaugurated in 1969, is largest and most important art museum in the city, and one of the most memorable in the state of Tamaulipas
. Art and photo exhibitions are held yearlong at MACT. Artworks from Mexico City
, Monterrey, New York City
, Los Angeles
, Milan
, and Paris
have been displayed at this museum.
The central ‘plaza’ in Matamoros is home to the Presidential Offices, the Cathedral of Nuestra Señora Villa del Refugio, and of the Casino Matamorense, along with other historical buildings. The 'Teatro Reforma', the most important theater in the city, is found a few blocks away. In January 28, 1829, the plaza was named after the heroic and historical figure Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla, who fought in the Mexican War of Independence
. Moreover, the Cathedral of Nuestra Señora Villa del Refugio, constructed in 1831, was one of the first mayor constructions and is one of the present symbols of the city. Its neoclassical architecture
, along with its rich, historical background, attracts visitors yearlong. The Casino Matamorense, constructed in 1950, is traditionally considered the center of social gatherings for the principal families of Matamoros. And finally, the 'Teatro Reforma,' once considered the 'House of the Opera of the XIX Century', was constructed in 1861. For decades, the theater was home to important balls held by the richest families of Matamoros and the high-ranking military officers of the state. In addition, 'Teatro Reforma' is well-known for being the first place in history where the Mexican National Anthem was played.
and Nuevo Laredo
, which are farther inland. Moreover, the climate of Matamoros is subtropical, with relatively low precipitation patterns distributed throughout the summer, and with summer temperatures ranging from 30-40°C. Temperatures above 38°C are very uncommon, just as the other extreme, where freezing temperatures during the winter are rarely seen as well.
Heavy rainfall is usually seen during the months of July and August, although it is not uncommon to go about without any rain whatsoever during the "wet" season. The average temperatures during the winters usually range around 0-10°C; this seasons is usually attended with rain, drizzle, and fog. The last snowfall was seen on December 25, 2004, which is the greatest snowfall ever recorded in the city, with up to 3.8 cm (1.5 in) in one day.
between the U.S. and Mexico
is seen in effect throughout the city of Matamoros with the presence of its four international bridges. It is worth mentioning that Matamoros, Tamaulipas is the only border city in the U.S.-Mexico border that has four international bridges.
(Spanish
: Cártel del Golfo, Golfos, or CDG) is one of the most powerful drug cartels in Mexico
, and perhaps the oldest organized crime group in the country. It is currently based in Matamoros, Tamaulipas
, one of the most important drug corridors in Mexico. Additionally, the Gulf Cartel has significant presence in 13 states around Mexico, with important areas of operation in the cities of Nuevo Laredo
, Miguel Alemán
, and Reynosa in the northern state of
Tamaulipas
; it also has important operations in the states of Nuevo León
and in Michoacán
. It smuggles cocaine
, marijuana, methamphetamine
, heroin, and other illegal drugs into the United States
.
Although this criminal organization has its roots in 1929 during the Prohibition Era, the Gulf Cartel
became an organized criminal syndicate and a threat to the Mexican government in the 1970s, when Juan Nepomuceno Guerra
began smuggling
drugs across the border to the United States
; however, strictly speaking, it wasn’t until the 1980s
when the organization began to dedicate itself primarily to drug trafficking, under the command of Juan García Ábrego
, and consolidated its name as the Gulf Cartel
.
Juan García Ábrego
assumed control of his uncle’s small drug trafficking business and started making connections with the Cali Cartel
to smuggle drugs to the U.S. After a prosperous decade, Juan García Ábrego was arrested in 1996, and Osiel Cárdenas Guillén took control of the Gulf Cartel
. Osiel Cárdenas
found himself in a no-holds-barred fight to keep his notorious organization and leadership untouched, and sought out members of the Mexican Army Special Forces
to become the military armed-wing of the Gulf Cartel. In order to combat the rising rivals of the Gulf Cartel and the Mexican Forces, Cardenas recruited 40 ex-military officials from the Mexican Special Forces
to become the Gulf Cartel’s armed wing. This military wing was later called Los Zetas
. They were all expert sharpshooters, capable of performing rapid deployment and military operations in almost any environment, and were trained in weapons that were inaccessible to most recruits in any drug cartel.
In 2003, however, Osiel Cárdenas Guillén was captured in a confrontation between the Gulf Cartel and the Mexican Marines and in 2007 he was extradited to the United States and was sentenced to 25 years in prison. After continuous tension and disagreement, the Gulf Cartel
and Los Zetas
separated in 2008 and officially broke relations in 2010, and the bloody drug war between them for territory is still an ongoing conflict. Antonio Ezekiel Cárdenas Guilén became the co-leader of the Gulf Cartel, along with Jorge Eduardo Costilla Sánchez, after the extradition of Osiel Cárdenas Guillén. However, Ezekiel died in a six-hour shooting with the Mexican government forces on November 5, 2010 in the border city of Matamoros, Tamaulipas. According to local newspapers, well over 50 gunmen died in the military operation, along with 2 marines, and 1 news reporter. Although not confirmed, some local sources reveal that more than 100 people died that day in Matamoros. And till this day, Matamoros is considered one of the major hotspots in the Mexican Drug War
.
Tamaulipas
Tamaulipas officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Tamaulipas is one of the 31 states which, with the Federal District, comprise the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico. It is divided in 43 municipalities and its capital city is Ciudad Victoria. The capital city was named after Guadalupe Victoria, the...
, in the country of Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
. It is located on the southern bank of the Rio Grande
Rio Grande
The Rio Grande is a river that flows from southwestern Colorado in the United States to the Gulf of Mexico. Along the way it forms part of the Mexico – United States border. Its length varies as its course changes...
, directly across the border from Brownsville, Texas
Brownsville, Texas
Brownsville is a city in the southernmost tip of the state of Texas, in the United States. It is located on the northern bank of the Rio Grande, directly north and across the border from Matamoros, Tamaulipas, Mexico. Brownsville is the 16th largest city in the state of Texas with a population of...
, in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. Matamoros is the second largest and second most populous city in the state of Tamaulipas. As of 2010, Matamoros counts with a population of 489,193. If its floating population
Floating population
Floating population is a terminology used to describe a group of people who reside in a given population for a certain amount of time and for various reasons, but are not generally considered part of the official census count....
is included in the census count, however, the population of Matamoros can reach up to approximately 700,000 habitants. In addition, the Matamoros–Brownsville Metropolitan Area
Matamoros–Brownsville Metropolitan Area
Matamoros–Brownsville, also known as Brownsville–Matamoros, or simply as the Borderplex, is one of the six bi-national metropolitan areas along the Mexico–U.S border...
counts with a population of 1,136,995, making it the 4th largest metropolitan area in the Mexico-US border. Matamoros is the 39th largest city in Mexico and anchors the second largest metropolitan area in Tamaulipas.
Matamoros is one of the fastest growing cities in Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
, and has one of the fastest growing economies
Economy of Mexico
The economy of Mexico is the 13th largest in the world in nominal terms and the 11th by purchasing power parity, according to the World Bank.Since the 1994 crisis, administrations have improved the country's macroeconomic fundamentals...
in the country. The economy of the city is based on its international trade with the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
through the NAFTA
North American Free Trade Agreement
The North American Free Trade Agreement or NAFTA is an agreement signed by the governments of Canada, Mexico, and the United States, creating a trilateral trade bloc in North America. The agreement came into force on January 1, 1994. It superseded the Canada – United States Free Trade Agreement...
agreement, and it is home to one of the most promising industrial sectors in Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
, mainly due to the presence of maquiladoras
Maquiladora
A maquiladora or maquila is a concept often referred to as an operation that involves manufacturing in a country that is not the client's and as such has an interesting duty or tariff treatment...
. In Matamoros, the automotive industry hosts the assembly and accessories plants for brands such as General Motors
General Motors
General Motors Company , commonly known as GM, formerly incorporated as General Motors Corporation, is an American multinational automotive corporation headquartered in Detroit, Michigan and the world's second-largest automaker in 2010...
, Ford, Chrysler
Chrysler
Chrysler Group LLC is a multinational automaker headquartered in Auburn Hills, Michigan, USA. Chrysler was first organized as the Chrysler Corporation in 1925....
, BMW
BMW
Bayerische Motoren Werke AG is a German automobile, motorcycle and engine manufacturing company founded in 1916. It also owns and produces the Mini marque, and is the parent company of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. BMW produces motorcycles under BMW Motorrad and Husqvarna brands...
, Mercedes Benz, and several others. Likewise, Matamoros' economy has historically been based on agriculture, since northern Mexico's biggest irrigation zones are in the municipality
Matamoros municipality, Tamaulipas
Matamoros is a municipality located in the Mexican state of Tamaulipas.-Towns and villages:The largest localities are:-Adjacent municipalities and counties:* San Fernando Municipality - south...
. PEMEX
Pemex
Petróleos Mexicanos or Pemex is a Mexican state-owned petroleum company. As of 2010, with a total asset worth of $415.75 billion, it is the second non-publicly listed largest company in the world by total market value, and Latin America's second largest enterprise by annual revenue as of 2009...
announced a multi-billion offshore drilling project for the port of Matamoros, one of the future prospects for Mexico's oil industry.
Additionally, Matamoros is a major historical site, since it was site of several battles and events of the Mexican War of Independence
Mexican War of Independence
The Mexican War of Independence was an armed conflict between the people of Mexico and the Spanish colonial authorities which started on 16 September 1810. The movement, which became known as the Mexican War of Independence, was led by Mexican-born Spaniards, Mestizos and Amerindians who sought...
, the Mexican Revolution
Mexican Revolution
The Mexican Revolution was a major armed struggle that started in 1910, with an uprising led by Francisco I. Madero against longtime autocrat Porfirio Díaz. The Revolution was characterized by several socialist, liberal, anarchist, populist, and agrarianist movements. Over time the Revolution...
, the Texas Revolution
Texas Revolution
The Texas Revolution or Texas War of Independence was an armed conflict between Mexico and settlers in the Texas portion of the Mexican state Coahuila y Tejas. The war lasted from October 2, 1835 to April 21, 1836...
, the Mexican American War, the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
, and the French Intervention
French intervention in Mexico
The French intervention in Mexico , also known as The Maximilian Affair, War of the French Intervention, and The Franco-Mexican War, was an invasion of Mexico by an expeditionary force sent by the Second French Empire, supported in the beginning by the United Kingdom and the Kingdom of Spain...
that allowed the city to earn its title of Undefeated, Loyal, and Heroic. In addition, the Mexican National Anthem was played for the first time in public at The Opera Theatre in the city of Matamoros, Tamaulipas. On another note, Matamoros has a semi-arid climate, with mild winters, and hot, humid summers. Matamoros and Brownsville, Texas
Brownsville, Texas
Brownsville is a city in the southernmost tip of the state of Texas, in the United States. It is located on the northern bank of the Rio Grande, directly north and across the border from Matamoros, Tamaulipas, Mexico. Brownsville is the 16th largest city in the state of Texas with a population of...
are home to the Charro Days
Charro Days
Charro Days, also known as Charro Days Fiesta or Charro Days Festival, is two-nation fiesta and an annual four-day pre-Lenten celebration held in Brownsville, Texas, United States in cooperation with Matamoros, Tamaulipas, Mexico. The grito—a joyous Mexican shout—opens the festivities every year...
and Sombrero Festival
Sombrero Festival
Sombrero Festival, also known as Sombrero Fest, is a two-nation fiesta and an annual four-day pre-Lenten celebration held in Matamoros, Tamaulipas, Mexico, in cooperation with Brownsville, Texas, United States. The grito—a joyous Mexican shout—opens the festivities every year...
annual celebrations, which are a two–nation fiestas that commemorate the heritage of the U.S. and Mexico.
Moreover, Matamoros is well-known for being the birthplace and base of the Gulf Cartel
Gulf Cartel
The Gulf Cartel is one of the most powerful drug cartels in Mexico, and perhaps the oldest organized crime group in the country...
.
Prehispanic history
There is very little historical evidence about the native tribes that lived in present-day Matamoros. But just like in many parts of northern Tamaulipas, the region of Matamoros was most likely occupied by the one of these three tribes that inhabited Tamaulipas—the Olmecs, the ChicimecsChichimeca
Chichimeca was the name that the Nahua peoples of Mexico generically applied to a wide range of semi-nomadic peoples who inhabited the north of modern-day Mexico and southwestern United States, and carried the same sense as the European term "barbarian"...
, and the Huastecs—before their extermination by the Spanish colonials.
Foundation
In the year 1519, the same year that Hernán CortésHernán Cortés
Hernán Cortés de Monroy y Pizarro, 1st Marquis of the Valley of Oaxaca was a Spanish Conquistador who led an expedition that caused the fall of the Aztec Empire and brought large portions of mainland Mexico under the rule of the King of Castile in the early 16th century...
arrived to the Americas at the port of Veracruz
Veracruz
Veracruz, formally Veracruz de Ignacio de la Llave officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Veracruz de Ignacio de la Llave , is one of the 31 states that, along with the Federal District, comprise the 32 federative entities of Mexico. It is divided in 212 municipalities and its capital city is...
, a captain named Alonso Álvarez de Pineda
Alonso Álvarez de Pineda
Alonso Álvarez de Pineda was a Spanish explorer and cartographer. His map marks the first document in Texas history.-Expedition:The Spanish thought there must be a sea lane from the Gulf of Mexico to Asia...
carried out a brief expedition to the region of northern Tamaulipas, where he named the town known today as Rio Bravo (Rio Grande) as Rio de las Palmas (Palms River). Nevertheless, the actual founding of Matamoros began in 1686, when Captain Alonso de León
Alonso De León
Alonso de León wasexplorer and governor, who led several expeditions into the area that is now northeastern Mexico and southern Texas.-Early life:...
explored the area and concluded that the Rio Grande River was an excellent route for navigation, and that the area of Matamoros was an ideal spot for cattle raising.
In the year 1749, thirteen enterprising families, twelve from Camargo
Camargo
Camargo may refer to one of these places:Places Bolivia:* Camargo, Chuquisaca Brazil:* Camargo, Rio Grande do Sul Mexico:* Camargo, Chihuahua* Camargo, Tamaulipas Spain:...
and one from Reynosa
Reynosa
Reynosa is a border city in the northern part of Tamaulipas, in the country of Mexico. It is located on the southern bank of the Rio Grande, directly across the border from McAllen, Texas in the United States. As of 2010, the city of Reynosa counts with a population of 607,532...
, decided to invest and begin a new, influential cattle industry in the area. Former landowners were reluctant that this new investment would be successful, since the frequent overflows from the Rio Grande caused severe floods, and because ranches were occasionally attacked by Indians. Nonetheless, these thirteen families effectively carried out their business plan and structuralized 113 cattle-raising sites. In the year 1774, they officially named the area San Juan de los Esteros Hermosos, known today was Matamoros.
In order to colonize the province of Nuevo Santander
Nuevo Santander
Nuevo Santander was a region of the Virreinato de Nueva España, corresponding generally to the modern Mexican state of Tamaulipas and southern Texas. Nuevo Santander was named after Santander, Spain, and settled by Spanish American colonists in a concerted settlement campaign peaking in 1748-1750...
in 1793, Francisco Pueyes and Manuel Julio Silva, two Franciscan missionaries, established a parish in the main plaza
Plaza
Plaza is a Spanish word related to "field" which describes an open urban public space, such as a city square. All through Spanish America, the plaza mayor of each center of administration held three closely related institutions: the cathedral, the cabildo or administrative center, which might be...
of Matamoros and proposed a new name for the community, Villa del Refugio, in honor of the parish and patron saint, Our Lady of the Refuge of the Estuaries.
Mexican Independence
In 1826, the governor Lucas Fernandez dispatched a decree to change the name of the city to Matamoros, in honor of Mariano MatamorosMariano Matamoros
Mariano Matamoros y Guridi was a Mexican Roman Catholic priest and revolutionary rebel soldier of the Mexican War of Independence, who fought for independence against Spain in the early 19th century....
, a hero of the Mexican War of Independence
Mexican War of Independence
The Mexican War of Independence was an armed conflict between the people of Mexico and the Spanish colonial authorities which started on 16 September 1810. The movement, which became known as the Mexican War of Independence, was led by Mexican-born Spaniards, Mestizos and Amerindians who sought...
who participated along José María Morelos
José María Morelos
José María Teclo Morelos y Pavón was a Mexican Roman Catholic priest and revolutionary rebel leader who led the Mexican War of Independence movement, assuming its leadership after the execution of Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla in 1811...
. During the Texas Revolution
Texas Revolution
The Texas Revolution or Texas War of Independence was an armed conflict between Mexico and settlers in the Texas portion of the Mexican state Coahuila y Tejas. The war lasted from October 2, 1835 to April 21, 1836...
(1836), Matamoros was the fortress for many Mexican soldiers against rebel attacks. In 1851, the city of Matamoros was again heroic for defending soldiers against attacks, and the troops of Francisco Avalos were able to repel their enemy.
After that victory, the state congress granted Matamoros the title of “Heroic,” countersigned by the Mexican Congress.
The future of the city radically changed after Matamoros declared itself an international free trade zone
Free trade zone
A free trade zone or export processing zone , also called foreign-trade zone, formerly free port is an area within which goods may be landed, handled, manufactured or reconfigured, and reexported without the intervention of the customs authorities...
in 1858. This transformation brought upon urbanization, industrialization, and the expansion of the Bagdad Port, which experienced an economic boom for being the only entrance port for mercenaries for the Confederate States of America
Confederate States of America
The Confederate States of America was a government set up from 1861 to 1865 by 11 Southern slave states of the United States of America that had declared their secession from the U.S...
during the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
. The Port of Matamoros, also known as the Port of Bagdad, was during the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
one of the leading commercial ports of the world.
Texas Revolution
The city of Matamoros, Tamaulipas was a strategic and fortified city during the Texas RevolutionTexas Revolution
The Texas Revolution or Texas War of Independence was an armed conflict between Mexico and settlers in the Texas portion of the Mexican state Coahuila y Tejas. The war lasted from October 2, 1835 to April 21, 1836...
. An expedition led to attack Matamoros was both controversial and divisive to defeat the forces of Antonio López de Santa Anna
Antonio López de Santa Anna
Antonio de Padua María Severino López de Santa Anna y Pérez de Lebrón , often known as Santa Anna or López de Santa Anna, known as "the Napoleon of the West," was a Mexican political leader, general, and president who greatly influenced early Mexican and Spanish politics and government...
. The roots of the controversy lay in the division within the provisional government between Governor Henry Smith
Henry Smith
Henry Smith may refer to:*Henry Smith , English Puritan preacher*Henry Smith , English politician and jurist*Henry Smith , Governor of Rhode Island...
and the General Council
General council
General council may refer to:In education:* General Council , an advisory body to each of the ancient universities of Scotland...
over whether to remain loyal to the Constitution of 1824 and support the liberals of Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
in the Federalist cause against Santa Anna or to declare independence from Mexico a search to become an independent territory. The division, on the other hand, was mirrored within the provisional government and among the commanders in the field, who compounded the situation and contributed to the near destruction of the Texan army.
American Civil War
At the beginning of the American Civil WarAmerican Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
, the city of Matamoros was simply a sleepy little border town across the Rio Grande from Brownsville, Texas
Brownsville, Texas
Brownsville is a city in the southernmost tip of the state of Texas, in the United States. It is located on the northern bank of the Rio Grande, directly north and across the border from Matamoros, Tamaulipas, Mexico. Brownsville is the 16th largest city in the state of Texas with a population of...
. It had, for several years, been considered a port, but it had relatively few ships arriving. Previous to the war, accounts mention that not over six ships entered the port each year. Nevertheless, in about four years, Matamoros, due to its proximity to Texas, was to assume state as a port, and multiply its inhabitants in number. Following is a quote from a Union General in 1885 describing the importance of the port in Matamoros:
The cotton trade brought together in Bagdad, Tamaulipas
Bagdad, Tamaulipas
Bagdad, Tamaulipas, Mexico was a town established in 1848 on the south bank of the mouth of the Río Grande. Moreover, this town is also known as the Port of Bagdad or the Port of Matamoros, since it is inside the municipality of Matamoros, Tamaulipas...
and Matamoros over 20,000 speculators from the Union
Union
Union may refer to:* Trade union or labor union, an organization of workers that have banded together, often for the purpose of getting better working conditions or pay...
and the Confederacy
Confederacy
Confederacy may refer to:A Confederation, an association of sovereign states or communities. Examples include:* Confederate States of America, eleven southern states of the United States of America between 1861 and 1865...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
, and Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
. Bagdad had grown from a small, seashore town to a "full-pledge town." The English-speaking population in the area by 1864 was so great that Matamoros even had a newspaper printed in English—it was called the Matamoros Morning Call. In addition, the port exported cotton to England and France, where millions of people needed it for their daily livelihood, and it was possible to receive fifty cents per pound in gold for cotton, when it cost about three cents in the Confederacy, "and much more money was received for it laid down in New York and European ports." Other sources mention that the port of Matamoros traded with London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, Havana
Havana
Havana is the capital city, province, major port, and leading commercial centre of Cuba. The city proper has a population of 2.1 million inhabitants, and it spans a total of — making it the largest city in the Caribbean region, and the most populous...
, Belize
Belize
Belize is a constitutional monarchy and the northernmost country in Central America. Belize has a diverse society, comprising many cultures and languages. Even though Kriol and Spanish are spoken among the population, Belize is the only country in Central America where English is the official...
, and New Orleans. The Matamoros and New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
trade agreement, however, continued throughout the war and until 1864, and it was considered to be "heavy and profitable."
By 1865, Matamoros was described as a prosperous town of 30,000 people, and Lew Wallace
Lew Wallace
Lewis "Lew" Wallace was an American lawyer, Union general in the American Civil War, territorial governor and statesman, politician and author...
informed General Ulysses S. Grant
Ulysses S. Grant
Ulysses S. Grant was the 18th President of the United States as well as military commander during the Civil War and post-war Reconstruction periods. Under Grant's command, the Union Army defeated the Confederate military and ended the Confederate States of America...
that neither Baltimore
Baltimore
Baltimore is the largest independent city in the United States and the largest city and cultural center of the US state of Maryland. The city is located in central Maryland along the tidal portion of the Patapsco River, an arm of the Chesapeake Bay. Baltimore is sometimes referred to as Baltimore...
or New Orleans could compare itself to the growing commercial activity of Matamoros. Nevertheless, after the collapse of the Confederacy
Confederacy
Confederacy may refer to:A Confederation, an association of sovereign states or communities. Examples include:* Confederate States of America, eleven southern states of the United States of America between 1861 and 1865...
, “gloom, despondency, and despair” became evident in Matamoros—markets shut down, business almost ceased to exist, and ships were rarely seen. “For Sale” signs began to sprout up everywhere, and Matamoros returned to its role of a sleepy little border town across the Rio Grande
Rio Grande
The Rio Grande is a river that flows from southwestern Colorado in the United States to the Gulf of Mexico. Along the way it forms part of the Mexico – United States border. Its length varies as its course changes...
.
The conclusion of the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
brought a severe crisis to the now abandoned Port of Bagdad, a crisis that until this day the port has never recovered from. In addition, a tremendous hurricane in 1889 destroyed the desolated port. This same hurricane was one of the many hurricanes during the period of devastating hurricanes of 1870 to 1889, which reduced the population of Matamoros to nearly half its size, mounting with it another upsetting economic downturn.
French intervention
During the French interventionFrench intervention in Mexico
The French intervention in Mexico , also known as The Maximilian Affair, War of the French Intervention, and The Franco-Mexican War, was an invasion of Mexico by an expeditionary force sent by the Second French Empire, supported in the beginning by the United Kingdom and the Kingdom of Spain...
, the port of Bagdad was the scene for the Battle of Bagdad, where the Mexican army
Mexican Army
The Mexican Army is the combined land and air branch and largest of the Mexican Military services; it also is known as the National Defense Army. It is famous for having been the first army to adopt and use an automatic rifle, , in 1899, and the first to issue automatic weapons as standard issue...
defeated the French army
French Army
The French Army, officially the Armée de Terre , is the land-based and largest component of the French Armed Forces.As of 2010, the army employs 123,100 regulars, 18,350 part-time reservists and 7,700 Legionnaires. All soldiers are professionals, following the suspension of conscription, voted in...
and its conservative allies.
Mexican Revolution
During the course of the Mexican RevolutionMexican Revolution
The Mexican Revolution was a major armed struggle that started in 1910, with an uprising led by Francisco I. Madero against longtime autocrat Porfirio Díaz. The Revolution was characterized by several socialist, liberal, anarchist, populist, and agrarianist movements. Over time the Revolution...
, the generals Francisco Mújica and Lucio Blanco
Lucio Blanco
Lucio Blanco was a Mexican military officer, noteworthy for his participation in the Mexican Revolution of 1910 to 1920.-Biography:...
executed the first agrarian reform
Agrarian reform
Agrarian reform can refer either, narrowly, to government-initiated or government-backed redistribution of agricultural land or, broadly, to an overall redirection of the agrarian system of the country, which often includes land reform measures. Agrarian reform can include credit measures,...
for land in the country (1913). Consequently, in the years to come, Matamoros enjoyed another golden era during The Cotton Age, from 1948 to 1962. This epoch placed Matamoros as the finest and largest cotton
Cotton
Cotton is a soft, fluffy staple fiber that grows in a boll, or protective capsule, around the seeds of cotton plants of the genus Gossypium. The fiber is almost pure cellulose. The botanical purpose of cotton fiber is to aid in seed dispersal....
producer and exporter in the state of Tamaulipas
Tamaulipas
Tamaulipas officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Tamaulipas is one of the 31 states which, with the Federal District, comprise the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico. It is divided in 43 municipalities and its capital city is Ciudad Victoria. The capital city was named after Guadalupe Victoria, the...
and of the country.
Modern era
Since the ‘70s, and especially during the ‘90s, after the initiation of the North American Free Trade AgreementNorth American Free Trade Agreement
The North American Free Trade Agreement or NAFTA is an agreement signed by the governments of Canada, Mexico, and the United States, creating a trilateral trade bloc in North America. The agreement came into force on January 1, 1994. It superseded the Canada – United States Free Trade Agreement...
, foreign investment has multiplied in Matamoros, resulting in an enormous population growth, prominently from other Mexican states, like San Luis Potosi
San Luis Potosí
San Luis Potosí officially Estado Libre y Soberano de San Luis Potosí is one of the 31 states which, with the Federal District, comprise the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico. It is divided in 58 municipalities and its capital city is San Luis Potosí....
and Veracruz
Veracruz
Veracruz, formally Veracruz de Ignacio de la Llave officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Veracruz de Ignacio de la Llave , is one of the 31 states that, along with the Federal District, comprise the 32 federative entities of Mexico. It is divided in 212 municipalities and its capital city is...
.
Industry
The economy of Matamoros depends primarily on its proximity to the United StatesUnited States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, due to the importance of the strong presence of foreign investment in the area. Maquiladoras are a direct representation of American presence in the state of Tamaulipas; the trade of goods through the international bridges and the flow of people on both sides of the border play a huge role in the economic posture of Matamoros.
Matamoros is home to more than 122 maquiladoras dedicated in its majority to export to the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. This industry produces technological goods like cables, electrical appliances, electrical components, vehicle parts and accessories, textiles, chemical products, machinery, and computer products. The city operates about 35% of the Tamaulipas’ maquiladora industry, placing second, just behind Reynosa
Reynosa
Reynosa is a border city in the northern part of Tamaulipas, in the country of Mexico. It is located on the southern bank of the Rio Grande, directly across the border from McAllen, Texas in the United States. As of 2010, the city of Reynosa counts with a population of 607,532...
. In December 2004, the maquiladora industry gave employment to more than 52,777 workers in Matamoros, which showed an increase of 576 jobs compared to 2003, formulating a 60% increase in employment.
Commerce
This economic activity is the second most important in the city of Matamoros, generating approximately 13.5% of the total employment in the municipality. The rapid growths of the population in Matamoros, along with an increase in incomes, have amplified the demand of satisfiers in the area. In the whole state of Tamaulipas, Matamoros places first in terms of jobs and businesses generated by foreign investment in the area, summing a total of 238 companies, 36% of the state’s whole business sector.Agriculture
The rural area of Matamoros, Tamaulipas encompasses 97 communities, with more than 36,096 habitants in these small agrarian sectors. Traditionally, the city was eminently agricultural, cultivating sorghumSorghum
Sorghum is a genus of numerous species of grasses, one of which is raised for grain and many of which are used as fodder plants either cultivated or as part of pasture. The plants are cultivated in warmer climates worldwide. Species are native to tropical and subtropical regions of all continents...
, corn
Corn
Corn is the name used in the United States, Canada, and Australia for the grain maize.In much of the English-speaking world, the term "corn" is a generic term for cereal crops, such as* Barley* Oats* Wheat* Rye- Places :...
(maíz), beans, vegetables, and sunflower
Sunflower
Sunflower is an annual plant native to the Americas. It possesses a large inflorescence . The sunflower got its name from its huge, fiery blooms, whose shape and image is often used to depict the sun. The sunflower has a rough, hairy stem, broad, coarsely toothed, rough leaves and circular heads...
by millions each year. The terrain in Matamoros categorized in two factions: gley soil
Gley soil
Gley soil in soil science is a type of hydric soil which exhibits a greenish-blue-grey soil color due to wetland conditions. On exposure to the air, gley colors are transformed to a mottled pattern of reddish, yellow or orange patches. During gley soil formation , the oxygen supply in the soil...
, land that is only used for grazing by livestock, and arable land
Arable land
In geography and agriculture, arable land is land that can be used for growing crops. It includes all land under temporary crops , temporary meadows for mowing or pasture, land under market and kitchen gardens and land temporarily fallow...
, used solely for growing crops.
The municipality of Matamoros is found the Rio Grande River basin, and by means of irrigation
Irrigation
Irrigation may be defined as the science of artificial application of water to the land or soil. It is used to assist in the growing of agricultural crops, maintenance of landscapes, and revegetation of disturbed soils in dry areas and during periods of inadequate rainfall...
, the agricultural sector flourishes in production. The two main water suppliers are the Rio Grande River and the Arroyo del Tigre, which have dams that irrigate the region.
Livestock
The bovine is the most predominant livestock in the municipality of Matamoros, and the commercializationCommercialization
Commercialization is the process or cycle of introducing a new product or production method into the market. The actual launch of a new product is the final stage of new product development, and the one where the most money will have to be spent for advertising, sales promotion, and other marketing...
of its meat is the principal income of ranchers in the region. In fact, livestock production goes as the following: bovine (62%), pigs
PIGS
PIGS is a four letter acronym that can stand for:* PIGS , Phosphatidylinositol glycan anchor biosynthesis, class S, a human gene* PIGS , the economies of Portugal, Italy , Greece and Spain...
(16%), and sheep (9%).
In the northern part of Tamaulipas, near the municipality of Matamoros, the breeding of calves is characterized and well-known for having European blood. However, this is only seen among specialized, high quality meat industries that breed Charolais cattle
Charolais cattle
Charolais cattle are a beef breed of cattle which originated in Charolais, around Charolles, in France. They are raised for their meat and are known for their composite qualities when crossed with other breeds, most notably Angus and Hereford cattle...
, Simmental cattle
Simmental Cattle
Simmental cattle are a versatile breed of cattle originating in the valley of the Simme river, in the Bernese Oberland of western Switzerland.-European origin:...
, and the Zebus.
Fishing Industry
Matamoros, Tamaulipas counts with more than 117 kilometers of coast in the Gulf of MexicoGulf of Mexico
The Gulf of Mexico is a partially landlocked ocean basin largely surrounded by the North American continent and the island of Cuba. It is bounded on the northeast, north and northwest by the Gulf Coast of the United States, on the southwest and south by Mexico, and on the southeast by Cuba. In...
, and with a total of 70,000 hectares of the Laguna Madre
Laguna Madre
The Laguna Madre extends well into Mexico, to the mouth of the Río Soto la Marina in the state of Tamaulipas. It is separated from the Gulf of Mexico on the east by a number of barrier islands, including Barra Los Americanos, Barra Jesús María, and Barra Soto la Marina, and is bounded on the west...
. In addition, there is fishing activities in spots like Higuerillas, la Capilla, Rincón de las Flores, el Mezquital, and Playa Bagdad. The city counts with 10 fishing corporations operating in all of these areas.
Playa Bagdad
Fishing tournament
A fishing tournament, or derby, is an organised competition among anglers. Fishing tournaments typically take place as a series of competitive events around or on a clearly defined body of water with specific rules applying to each event...
s are held each year, where participants from all over the state of Tamaulipas
Tamaulipas
Tamaulipas officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Tamaulipas is one of the 31 states which, with the Federal District, comprise the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico. It is divided in 43 municipalities and its capital city is Ciudad Victoria. The capital city was named after Guadalupe Victoria, the...
get together. During Holy Week
Holy Week
Holy Week in Christianity is the last week of Lent and the week before Easter...
, the beach experiences an abundant presence of visitors, primarily from Nuevo León
Nuevo León
Nuevo León It is located in Northeastern Mexico. It is bordered by the states of Tamaulipas to the north and east, San Luis Potosí to the south, and Coahuila to the west. To the north, Nuevo León has a 15 kilometer stretch of the U.S.-Mexico border adjacent to the U.S...
, when Playa Bagdad becomes the host of several concerts, sport tournaments, and festivals.
In 1985, during the yearly festival of ‘Festival del Mar,’ Rigo Tovar
Rigo Tovar
Rigoberto Tovar García was a Mexican singer best known as Rigo Tovar. Famous for his cumbia songs, Tovar is considered a musical pioneer by fusing electric guitar, synthesizer, and rock melodies with traditional Mexican music.Tovar was born and raised in Matamoros, Tamaulipas, Mexico...
, along with other important attractions, played in Playa Bagdad. Bands like ‘La Firma’, ‘La Mira de Linares,’ and ‘La Leyenda,’ along with several other pop groups, have also played during the month of April
April
April is the fourth month of the year in the Julian and Gregorian calendars, and one of four months with a length of 30 days. April was originally the second month of the Roman calendar, before January and February were added by King Numa Pompilius about 700 BC...
, the most visited period of the year. In addition, Playa Bagdad counts with several important seafood
Seafood
Seafood is any form of marine life regarded as food by humans. Seafoods include fish, molluscs , crustaceans , echinoderms . Edible sea plants, such as some seaweeds and microalgae, are also seafood, and are widely eaten around the world, especially in Asia...
restaurants. Jet Ski
Jet ski
Jet Ski is the brand name of a personal watercraft manufactured by Kawasaki Heavy Industries. The name is sometimes mistakenly used by those unfamiliar with the personal watercraft industry to refer to any type of personal watercraft; however, the name is a valid trademark registered with the...
, surfing
Surfing
Surfing' is a surface water sport in which the surfer rides a surfboard on the crest and face of a wave which is carrying the surfer towards the shore...
, and even motocross
Motocross
Motocross is a form of motorcycle sport or all-terrain vehicle racing held on enclosed off road circuits. It evolved from trials, and was called scrambles, and later motocross, combining the French moto with cross-country...
and off-road 4x4 racing are allowed with few area restrictions. In a single day during summer breaks, the number of visitors can get as high as 180,000.
Cultural attractions
Fortress of Casamata, converted into Museum Casamata in 1970, was a bastion that now guards a fine collection of prehispanic figurines and artifactsArtifact (archaeology)
An artifact or artefact is "something made or given shape by man, such as a tool or a work of art, esp an object of archaeological interest"...
dating from central historic moments: the Spanish colonist era
Spanish colonization of the Americas
Colonial expansion under the Spanish Empire was initiated by the Spanish conquistadores and developed by the Monarchy of Spain through its administrators and missionaries. The motivations for colonial expansion were trade and the spread of the Christian faith through indigenous conversions...
, the Mexican War of Independence
Mexican War of Independence
The Mexican War of Independence was an armed conflict between the people of Mexico and the Spanish colonial authorities which started on 16 September 1810. The movement, which became known as the Mexican War of Independence, was led by Mexican-born Spaniards, Mestizos and Amerindians who sought...
, and the contentious Mexican Revolution
Mexican Revolution
The Mexican Revolution was a major armed struggle that started in 1910, with an uprising led by Francisco I. Madero against longtime autocrat Porfirio Díaz. The Revolution was characterized by several socialist, liberal, anarchist, populist, and agrarianist movements. Over time the Revolution...
. Unique and curious items are also exhibited, such as an iron casket where the remains of fearless General Canales once rested (fought against both American and French invasions) and the dark tunnels lounged beneath the construction, inevitable reference for local horror stories. The existence of a multipurpose hall and newspaper library also provide extra interest to the museum.
The ‘Museo de Arte Contemporáneo de Tamaulipas (MACT),’ inaugurated in 1969, is largest and most important art museum in the city, and one of the most memorable in the state of Tamaulipas
Tamaulipas
Tamaulipas officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Tamaulipas is one of the 31 states which, with the Federal District, comprise the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico. It is divided in 43 municipalities and its capital city is Ciudad Victoria. The capital city was named after Guadalupe Victoria, the...
. Art and photo exhibitions are held yearlong at MACT. Artworks from Mexico City
Mexico City
Mexico City is the Federal District , capital of Mexico and seat of the federal powers of the Mexican Union. It is a federal entity within Mexico which is not part of any one of the 31 Mexican states but belongs to the federation as a whole...
, Monterrey, New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
, Milan
Milan
Milan is the second-largest city in Italy and the capital city of the region of Lombardy and of the province of Milan. The city proper has a population of about 1.3 million, while its urban area, roughly coinciding with its administrative province and the bordering Province of Monza and Brianza ,...
, and Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
have been displayed at this museum.
The central ‘plaza’ in Matamoros is home to the Presidential Offices, the Cathedral of Nuestra Señora Villa del Refugio, and of the Casino Matamorense, along with other historical buildings. The 'Teatro Reforma', the most important theater in the city, is found a few blocks away. In January 28, 1829, the plaza was named after the heroic and historical figure Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla, who fought in the Mexican War of Independence
Mexican War of Independence
The Mexican War of Independence was an armed conflict between the people of Mexico and the Spanish colonial authorities which started on 16 September 1810. The movement, which became known as the Mexican War of Independence, was led by Mexican-born Spaniards, Mestizos and Amerindians who sought...
. Moreover, the Cathedral of Nuestra Señora Villa del Refugio, constructed in 1831, was one of the first mayor constructions and is one of the present symbols of the city. Its neoclassical architecture
Neoclassical architecture
Neoclassical architecture was an architectural style produced by the neoclassical movement that began in the mid-18th century, manifested both in its details as a reaction against the Rococo style of naturalistic ornament, and in its architectural formulas as an outgrowth of some classicizing...
, along with its rich, historical background, attracts visitors yearlong. The Casino Matamorense, constructed in 1950, is traditionally considered the center of social gatherings for the principal families of Matamoros. And finally, the 'Teatro Reforma,' once considered the 'House of the Opera of the XIX Century', was constructed in 1861. For decades, the theater was home to important balls held by the richest families of Matamoros and the high-ranking military officers of the state. In addition, 'Teatro Reforma' is well-known for being the first place in history where the Mexican National Anthem was played.
Climate
The city of Matamoros, Tamaulipas has a warm, semi-arid climate, with mild winters, and hot, humid summers. Its proximity to the Gulf of Mexico accompanies cooler winds during the summers and winters, compared to its sister cities of ReynosaReynosa
Reynosa is a border city in the northern part of Tamaulipas, in the country of Mexico. It is located on the southern bank of the Rio Grande, directly across the border from McAllen, Texas in the United States. As of 2010, the city of Reynosa counts with a population of 607,532...
and Nuevo Laredo
Nuevo Laredo
Nuevo Laredo is a city located in the Municipality of Nuevo Laredo in the Mexican state of Tamaulipas. The city lies on the banks of the Río Grande, across from the United States city of Laredo, Texas. The 2010 census population of the city was 373,725. Nuevo Laredo is part of the Laredo-Nuevo...
, which are farther inland. Moreover, the climate of Matamoros is subtropical, with relatively low precipitation patterns distributed throughout the summer, and with summer temperatures ranging from 30-40°C. Temperatures above 38°C are very uncommon, just as the other extreme, where freezing temperatures during the winter are rarely seen as well.
Heavy rainfall is usually seen during the months of July and August, although it is not uncommon to go about without any rain whatsoever during the "wet" season. The average temperatures during the winters usually range around 0-10°C; this seasons is usually attended with rain, drizzle, and fog. The last snowfall was seen on December 25, 2004, which is the greatest snowfall ever recorded in the city, with up to 3.8 cm (1.5 in) in one day.
International Bridges
The international exchange of goods and servicesGoods and services
In economics, economic output is divided into physical goods and intangible services. Consumption of goods and services is assumed to produce utility. It is often used when referring to a Goods and Services Tax....
between the U.S. and Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
is seen in effect throughout the city of Matamoros with the presence of its four international bridges. It is worth mentioning that Matamoros, Tamaulipas is the only border city in the U.S.-Mexico border that has four international bridges.
- Brownsville & Matamoros International BridgeBrownsville & Matamoros International BridgeThe Brownsville & Matamoros International Bridge, also known as B&M International Bridge, Brownsville-Matamoros International Bridge and Express Bridge, is one of three international bridges that cross the U.S.-Mexico border between the cities of Brownsville, Texas, and Matamoros, Tamaulipas.It is...
(B&M): It is popularly known as the "Old Bridge" or "Puente Viejo," because of its original incarnation in 1904.
- Gateway International BridgeGateway International BridgeGateway International Bridge is one of three international bridges that cross the U.S.-Mexico border between the cities of Brownsville, Texas, and Matamoros, Tamaulipas. It is owned and operated by Cameron County. Over the past century, it has developed the nickname of "The New Bridge" when the...
: Popularly known as the "New Bridge" or "Puente Nuevo." This bridge is located in downtown Matamoros, Mexico and Brownsville, Texas, just a block away from the University of Texas at Brownsville. It is the most used international bridge for pedestrian crossings in the city.
- Veterans International Bridge: Commonly known as "Los Tomates Bridge," this gateway is the largest and newest bridge in the Brownsville-Matamoros metropolitan area.
- Free Trade International BridgeFree Trade International BridgeThe Free Trade International Bridge is an international bridge which crosses the Rio Grande connecting the United States-Mexico border cities of Los Indios, Texas and Matamoros, Tamaulipas...
: Commonly known as "Los Indios Bridge," this is an international bridge which crosses the Rio GrandeRio GrandeThe Rio Grande is a river that flows from southwestern Colorado in the United States to the Gulf of Mexico. Along the way it forms part of the Mexico – United States border. Its length varies as its course changes...
connecting the United States-Mexico border cities of Los Indios, TexasLos Indios, TexasLos Indios is a bordertown in Cameron County, Texas, United States. The population was 1,149 at the 2000 census. It is included as part of the Brownsville–Harlingen–Raymondville and the Matamoros–Brownsville metropolitan areas...
and Matamoros, Tamaulipas.
Famous people
- Manuel González Flores (1833–1893): Military soldier and politician, who also served as President of MexicoPresident of MexicoThe President of the United Mexican States is the head of state and government of Mexico. Under the Constitution, the president is also the Supreme Commander of the Mexican armed forces...
. He also played important roles in the French InterventionFrench intervention in MexicoThe French intervention in Mexico , also known as The Maximilian Affair, War of the French Intervention, and The Franco-Mexican War, was an invasion of Mexico by an expeditionary force sent by the Second French Empire, supported in the beginning by the United Kingdom and the Kingdom of Spain...
and in the Reform WarReform WarThe Reform War in Mexico is one of the episodes of the long struggle between Liberal and Conservative forces that dominated the country’s history in the 19th century. The Liberals wanted a federalist government, limiting traditional Catholic Church and military influence in the country...
with Benito JuárezBenito JuárezBenito Juárez born Benito Pablo Juárez García, was a Mexican lawyer and politician of Zapotec origin from Oaxaca who served five terms as president of Mexico: 1858–1861 as interim, 1861–1865, 1865–1867, 1867–1871 and 1871–1872...
.
- Pedro HinojosaPedro HinojosaPedro Hinojosa was a Mexican politician and military general who combated in the Mexican–American War, the Reform War, and in the French intervention in Mexico...
(1820–1903): Former military officer and politician, who served as governor of CoahuilaCoahuilaCoahuila, formally Coahuila de Zaragoza , officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Coahuila de Zaragoza is one of the 31 states which, with the Federal District, comprise the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico...
, Nuevo LeonNuevo LeónNuevo León It is located in Northeastern Mexico. It is bordered by the states of Tamaulipas to the north and east, San Luis Potosí to the south, and Coahuila to the west. To the north, Nuevo León has a 15 kilometer stretch of the U.S.-Mexico border adjacent to the U.S...
, and Chihuahua; played vital roles in the French InterventionFrench intervention in MexicoThe French intervention in Mexico , also known as The Maximilian Affair, War of the French Intervention, and The Franco-Mexican War, was an invasion of Mexico by an expeditionary force sent by the Second French Empire, supported in the beginning by the United Kingdom and the Kingdom of Spain...
, in the Mexican-American War, and in the Reform WarReform WarThe Reform War in Mexico is one of the episodes of the long struggle between Liberal and Conservative forces that dominated the country’s history in the 19th century. The Liberals wanted a federalist government, limiting traditional Catholic Church and military influence in the country...
.
- Lauro Villar Ochoa (1865–1913): Mexican general who defended Francisco I. MaderoFrancisco I. MaderoFrancisco Ignacio Madero González was a politician, writer and revolutionary who served as President of Mexico from 1911 to 1913. As a respectable upper-class politician, he supplied a center around which opposition to the dictatorship of Porfirio Díaz could coalesce...
during La Decena Trágica.
- Gregorio CortezGregorio CortezGregorio Cortez Lira was a Mexican American outlaw in the American Old West who became a folk hero to Mexicans living in South Texas. He was known for his ability to evade authorities as well as his impassioned words in court.- Background :Cortez's parents were itinerant laborers who brought...
(1875–1916): Mexican AmericanMexican AmericanMexican Americans are Americans of Mexican descent. As of July 2009, Mexican Americans make up 10.3% of the United States' population with over 31,689,000 Americans listed as of Mexican ancestry. Mexican Americans comprise 66% of all Hispanics and Latinos in the United States...
outlaw in the American Old WestAmerican Old WestThe American Old West, or the Wild West, comprises the history, geography, people, lore, and cultural expression of life in the Western United States, most often referring to the latter half of the 19th century, between the American Civil War and the end of the century...
who became a folk hero to Mexicans living in South TexasSouth TexasSouth Texas is a region of the U.S. state of Texas that lies roughly south of and including San Antonio. The southern and western boundary is the Rio Grande River, and to the east it is the Gulf of Mexico. The population of this region is about 3.7 million. The southern portion of this region is...
.
- Rigo TovarRigo TovarRigoberto Tovar García was a Mexican singer best known as Rigo Tovar. Famous for his cumbia songs, Tovar is considered a musical pioneer by fusing electric guitar, synthesizer, and rock melodies with traditional Mexican music.Tovar was born and raised in Matamoros, Tamaulipas, Mexico...
(1940–2005): Famous CumbiaCumbiaCumbia is a music genre popular across Latin America. The cumbia originated in the Caribbean coast of Colombia, where it is associated with an eponymous dance and has since spread as far as Mexico and Argentina...
singer who is considered the musical pioneer of fusing electric guitars, synthesizers and rock melody with traditional Mexican music.
- Norma Alicia Moreno FigueroaNorma Alicia Moreno FigueroaNorma Alicia Moreno Figueroa was a Mexican journalist. She is notable for being the first Mexican woman journalist to die violently because of her work as a journalist covering the Mexican Drug War.- Birth and Early Life :...
(1962–1986): First Mexican women to violently die for her journalist work on the Mexican Drug WarMexican Drug WarThe Mexican Drug War is an ongoing armed conflict taking place among rival drug cartels who fight each other for regional control, and Mexican government forces who seek to combat drug trafficking. However, the government's principal goal has been to put down the drug-related violence that was...
.
- Carlos de los CobosCarlos de los CobosCarlos de los Cobos Martínez is a Mexican former football player. He last coached the Chicago Fire in Major League Soccer.-Playing career:...
(1958–present): Former soccer player and current manager who played in Club AmericaClub AméricaClub América is a Mexican Professional football club based in Mexico City. It competes in the Primera División, the top professional league in the country. The team's nickname is Las Águilas ....
and in CF Monterrey while also participating in the World Cup '861986 FIFA World CupThe 1986 FIFA World Cup, the 13th FIFA World Cup, was held in Mexico from 31 May to 29 June. The tournament was the second to feature a 24-team format. Colombia had been originally chosen to host the competition by FIFA but, largely due to economic reasons, was not able to do so and officially...
.
- Cristina Rivera GarzaCristina Rivera GarzaCristina Rivera Garza is a Mexican writer born in Matamoros, Tamaulipas in 1964. She is the only author to have won the Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz Prize twice. First in 2001 for her novel Nadie me verá llorar and again in 2009 for her novel La muerte me da...
(1964-present) is a Mexican writer who won the prestigious Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz PrizeSor Juana Inés de la Cruz PrizeThe Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz Prize] is a prize awarded to women writers in Spanish. It is organized by the Guadalajara International Book Fair, based in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico. The prize is worth 100,000 pesos...
in 2001 and 2009, becoming the first writer to win the prize twice.
- Juan Nepomuceno GuerraJuan Nepomuceno GuerraJuan Nepomuceno Guerra was a Mexican drug lord and smuggler who co-founded the Gulf Cartel with his nephew Juan García Ábrego. He is often considered the "godfather" of U.S-Mexico border mafias.-Biography:...
(1915–2001): Mexican drug lord and founder of the Gulf CartelGulf CartelThe Gulf Cartel is one of the most powerful drug cartels in Mexico, and perhaps the oldest organized crime group in the country...
. He smuggled alcohol to the United States in the '30s and later made a transition to drugs during the '70s with his nephew, Juan Garcia Abrego.
- Juan García ÁbregoJuan García AbregoJuan García Ábrego was a Mexican drug lord who started out his criminal career under the tutelage of his uncle Juan Nepomuceno Guerra, who is reported to be the former head of a criminal dynasty along the U.S.-Mexico border now called the Gulf Cartel....
(1944–present): Mexican drug lord and former leader of the Gulf CartelGulf CartelThe Gulf Cartel is one of the most powerful drug cartels in Mexico, and perhaps the oldest organized crime group in the country...
during the 1980s. He is considered one of the godfathers in his cartel, under the tutelage of his uncle Juan Nepomuceno Guerra. After residing on the FBI's Most Wanted listFBI Ten Most Wanted Fugitives, 1990sThe FBI's Ten Most Wanted Fugitives during the 1990s is a list, maintained for a fifth decade, of the Ten Most Wanted Fugitives of the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation.-FBI 10 Most Wanted Fugitives to begin the 1990s:...
, he was imprisoned in 1996 and still remains in jail.
- Osiel Cárdenas Guillén (1967–present): Mexican drug lord and former leader of the Gulf CartelGulf CartelThe Gulf Cartel is one of the most powerful drug cartels in Mexico, and perhaps the oldest organized crime group in the country...
. Cárdenas was at one point in his career considered among the FBI Most Wanted. He is currently imprisoned in Houston, TexasHouston, TexasHouston is the fourth-largest city in the United States, and the largest city in the state of Texas. According to the 2010 U.S. Census, the city had a population of 2.1 million people within an area of . Houston is the seat of Harris County and the economic center of , which is the ...
and sentenced for 25 years.
- Antonio Ezequiel Cárdenas Guillén: (1962–2010): Mexican drug lord, former leader of the Gulf CartelGulf CartelThe Gulf Cartel is one of the most powerful drug cartels in Mexico, and perhaps the oldest organized crime group in the country...
, and brother of Osiel Cárdenas; he died in a shooting with the Mexican Marines in Matamoros.
- Jorge Eduardo Costilla Sánchez (1971–present): Mexican drug lord and current leader of the Gulf CartelGulf CartelThe Gulf Cartel is one of the most powerful drug cartels in Mexico, and perhaps the oldest organized crime group in the country...
. He worked as a police officer in Matamoros before initiating his drug trafficking career.
- Raúl Garate Legleu (1896–1977): Military general and former governor of Tamaulipas; named police chief of Mexico City in 1920 and Subsecretary of National Defense of Mexico in 1947.
- Guadalupe Mainero (1856–1912): Influential lawyer, journalist, and governor of Tamaulipas in 1896. In addition, he served as the President of the Supreme Court in Mexico in 1888.
- Adalberto J. Argüelles (1850–1923): Notable professor, member of parliament, and served as director of the Educación Federal, La Sociedad Benefactora, and as member of Alianza Obrera Progresista.
- Eliseo Paredes Manzano (1899–1988): businessman and journalist who served as mayor of Matamoros. He was the founder of Crédito Industrial de Monterrey and of Asociación de Charros, treasurer of Comité Pro-Educación local, director of Cruz Roja, president of Club Rotario, and commander of Tercer Batallón Regional de la Defensa Civil.
- Carlos Quintero Lamar (1863–1933): Former lawyer and diplomat who studied in Tulane UniversityTulane UniversityTulane University is a private, nonsectarian research university located in New Orleans, Louisiana, United States...
. He later served as consulConsul (representative)The political title Consul is used for the official representatives of the government of one state in the territory of another, normally acting to assist and protect the citizens of the consul's own country, and to facilitate trade and friendship between the peoples of the two countries...
in the country of Costa RicaCosta RicaCosta Rica , officially the Republic of Costa Rica is a multilingual, multiethnic and multicultural country in Central America, bordered by Nicaragua to the north, Panama to the southeast, the Pacific Ocean to the west and the Caribbean Sea to the east....
and in New Orleans, U.S.
Gulf Cartel
The Gulf CartelGulf Cartel
The Gulf Cartel is one of the most powerful drug cartels in Mexico, and perhaps the oldest organized crime group in the country...
(Spanish
Spanish language
Spanish , also known as Castilian , is a Romance language in the Ibero-Romance group that evolved from several languages and dialects in central-northern Iberia around the 9th century and gradually spread with the expansion of the Kingdom of Castile into central and southern Iberia during the...
: Cártel del Golfo, Golfos, or CDG) is one of the most powerful drug cartels in Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
, and perhaps the oldest organized crime group in the country. It is currently based in Matamoros, Tamaulipas
Matamoros, Tamaulipas
Matamoros, officially known as Heroica Matamoros, is a city in the northeastern part of Tamaulipas, in the country of Mexico. It is located on the southern bank of the Rio Grande, directly across the border from Brownsville, Texas, in the United States. Matamoros is the second largest and second...
, one of the most important drug corridors in Mexico. Additionally, the Gulf Cartel has significant presence in 13 states around Mexico, with important areas of operation in the cities of Nuevo Laredo
Nuevo Laredo
Nuevo Laredo is a city located in the Municipality of Nuevo Laredo in the Mexican state of Tamaulipas. The city lies on the banks of the Río Grande, across from the United States city of Laredo, Texas. The 2010 census population of the city was 373,725. Nuevo Laredo is part of the Laredo-Nuevo...
, Miguel Alemán
Miguel Alemán, Tamaulipas
Miguel Alemán, or El Carrizo, is a town located in Nuevo Laredo Municipality in the Mexican state of Tamaulipas. According to the INEGI Census of 2010, Miguel Alemán had a population of 114 inhabitants. Its elevation is 136 meters above sea level....
, and Reynosa in the northern state of
Tamaulipas
Tamaulipas
Tamaulipas officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Tamaulipas is one of the 31 states which, with the Federal District, comprise the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico. It is divided in 43 municipalities and its capital city is Ciudad Victoria. The capital city was named after Guadalupe Victoria, the...
; it also has important operations in the states of Nuevo León
Nuevo León
Nuevo León It is located in Northeastern Mexico. It is bordered by the states of Tamaulipas to the north and east, San Luis Potosí to the south, and Coahuila to the west. To the north, Nuevo León has a 15 kilometer stretch of the U.S.-Mexico border adjacent to the U.S...
and in Michoacán
Michoacán
Michoacán officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Michoacán de Ocampo is one of the 31 states which, with the Federal District, comprise the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico. It is divided in 113 municipalities and its capital city is Morelia...
. It smuggles cocaine
Cocaine
Cocaine is a crystalline tropane alkaloid that is obtained from the leaves of the coca plant. The name comes from "coca" in addition to the alkaloid suffix -ine, forming cocaine. It is a stimulant of the central nervous system, an appetite suppressant, and a topical anesthetic...
, marijuana, methamphetamine
Methamphetamine
Methamphetamine is a psychostimulant of the phenethylamine and amphetamine class of psychoactive drugs...
, heroin, and other illegal drugs into the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
.
Although this criminal organization has its roots in 1929 during the Prohibition Era, the Gulf Cartel
Gulf Cartel
The Gulf Cartel is one of the most powerful drug cartels in Mexico, and perhaps the oldest organized crime group in the country...
became an organized criminal syndicate and a threat to the Mexican government in the 1970s, when Juan Nepomuceno Guerra
Juan Nepomuceno Guerra
Juan Nepomuceno Guerra was a Mexican drug lord and smuggler who co-founded the Gulf Cartel with his nephew Juan García Ábrego. He is often considered the "godfather" of U.S-Mexico border mafias.-Biography:...
began smuggling
Smuggling
Smuggling is the clandestine transportation of goods or persons, such as out of a building, into a prison, or across an international border, in violation of applicable laws or other regulations.There are various motivations to smuggle...
drugs across the border to the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
; however, strictly speaking, it wasn’t until the 1980s
1980s
File:1980s decade montage.png|thumb|400px|From left, clockwise: The first Space Shuttle, Columbia, lifted off in 1981; American President Ronald Reagan and Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev eased tensions between the two superpowers, leading to the end of the Cold War; The Fall of the Berlin Wall in...
when the organization began to dedicate itself primarily to drug trafficking, under the command of Juan García Ábrego
Juan García Abrego
Juan García Ábrego was a Mexican drug lord who started out his criminal career under the tutelage of his uncle Juan Nepomuceno Guerra, who is reported to be the former head of a criminal dynasty along the U.S.-Mexico border now called the Gulf Cartel....
, and consolidated its name as the Gulf Cartel
Gulf Cartel
The Gulf Cartel is one of the most powerful drug cartels in Mexico, and perhaps the oldest organized crime group in the country...
.
Juan García Ábrego
Juan García Abrego
Juan García Ábrego was a Mexican drug lord who started out his criminal career under the tutelage of his uncle Juan Nepomuceno Guerra, who is reported to be the former head of a criminal dynasty along the U.S.-Mexico border now called the Gulf Cartel....
assumed control of his uncle’s small drug trafficking business and started making connections with the Cali Cartel
Cali Cartel
The Cali Cartel was a drug cartel based in southern Colombia, around the city of Cali and the Valle del Cauca Department. The Cali Cartel was founded by the Rodríguez Orejuela brothers, Gilberto and Miguel, as well as associate José Santacruz Londoño...
to smuggle drugs to the U.S. After a prosperous decade, Juan García Ábrego was arrested in 1996, and Osiel Cárdenas Guillén took control of the Gulf Cartel
Gulf Cartel
The Gulf Cartel is one of the most powerful drug cartels in Mexico, and perhaps the oldest organized crime group in the country...
. Osiel Cárdenas
Osiel Cárdenas
Osiel Cárdenas Guillén was a Mexican drug lord and former leader of the Gulf Cartel . Originally a mechanic in Matamoros, Tamaulipas, where he was born, he entered the Gulf Cartel by helping Juan García Abrego, the capo at the time; when García was arrested in 1995, some infighting erupted within...
found himself in a no-holds-barred fight to keep his notorious organization and leadership untouched, and sought out members of the Mexican Army Special Forces
Grupo Aeromóvil de Fuerzas Especiales
The Grupo Aeromóvil de Fuerzas Especiales or more commonly known as Fuerzas Especiales/Special Forces is a special forces unit of the Mexican Army's Special Forces Corps, trained by the world's special forces. There are a total of nine battalions, one High Command GAFE unit and one other group...
to become the military armed-wing of the Gulf Cartel. In order to combat the rising rivals of the Gulf Cartel and the Mexican Forces, Cardenas recruited 40 ex-military officials from the Mexican Special Forces
Mexican Special Forces
In Mexico both the Army and Navy have special forces groups or elite units.-Army Special Forces:The Army has a Special Forces Corps unified command consisting of 3 Special Forces Brigades, a High Command GAFE group, a GAFE group assigned to the Airborne Brigade and several Amphibious Special...
to become the Gulf Cartel’s armed wing. This military wing was later called Los Zetas
Los Zetas
Los Zetas is the second most powerful drug cartel in Mexico and considered by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration as the most violent drug cartel and paramilitary enforcement group in Mexico...
. They were all expert sharpshooters, capable of performing rapid deployment and military operations in almost any environment, and were trained in weapons that were inaccessible to most recruits in any drug cartel.
In 2003, however, Osiel Cárdenas Guillén was captured in a confrontation between the Gulf Cartel and the Mexican Marines and in 2007 he was extradited to the United States and was sentenced to 25 years in prison. After continuous tension and disagreement, the Gulf Cartel
Gulf Cartel
The Gulf Cartel is one of the most powerful drug cartels in Mexico, and perhaps the oldest organized crime group in the country...
and Los Zetas
Los Zetas
Los Zetas is the second most powerful drug cartel in Mexico and considered by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration as the most violent drug cartel and paramilitary enforcement group in Mexico...
separated in 2008 and officially broke relations in 2010, and the bloody drug war between them for territory is still an ongoing conflict. Antonio Ezekiel Cárdenas Guilén became the co-leader of the Gulf Cartel, along with Jorge Eduardo Costilla Sánchez, after the extradition of Osiel Cárdenas Guillén. However, Ezekiel died in a six-hour shooting with the Mexican government forces on November 5, 2010 in the border city of Matamoros, Tamaulipas. According to local newspapers, well over 50 gunmen died in the military operation, along with 2 marines, and 1 news reporter. Although not confirmed, some local sources reveal that more than 100 people died that day in Matamoros. And till this day, Matamoros is considered one of the major hotspots in the Mexican Drug War
Mexican Drug War
The Mexican Drug War is an ongoing armed conflict taking place among rival drug cartels who fight each other for regional control, and Mexican government forces who seek to combat drug trafficking. However, the government's principal goal has been to put down the drug-related violence that was...
.
External links
- Heroica Matamoros official website (Spanish)
- Matamoros:. The Gateway to Mexico (Spanish)
- International Annual Autum Festival (Spanish)
- EnterateNorte.com :: Matamoros Nightlife and Community site (Spanish)