Border News

Drove down to my home away from home today for the work week. I was greeted by this.

The U.S. Consulate office in Nuevo Laredo is warning Americans about a recent spike in violence in the Mexican border city.

"Grenade detonations and gunfire occurred behind Crowne Plaza and Leandro Valle at 7:20 p.m.,” the Consulate said via Twitter. "Avoid area and maintain a low profile."

It’s the latest clash between the Gulf Cartel and Zetas for control of the lucrative smuggling route to the I-35 Corridor.

At least seven people were killed in the recent week, including three U.S. citizens who live in the border area, according to officials. There are also reports of torched homes.

News about the violence is limited in Nuevo Laredo, where local media has been threatened into silence. Cartels have killed journalists who report on incidents, shoot video or photos at crime scenes.

That last paragraph is the most telling. Violence across the border is severely under-reported. Even truly outrageous events, such as bodies hanging from the bridge linking Texas and Mexico, barely make a ripple. It's gotten so bad that the cartels are searching out and killing people who comment about the violence on social media.

America has its share of problems. But at least we're not ruled by merciless thugs who are only concerned with seizing and maintaining power without regard to the law of the land.

Not that the democrats aren't trying...