http://www.themonitor.com/articles/reynosa-36932-access-side.htmlSome routes cleared, shootouts across Reynosa
REYNOSA — City officials say northbound access to the Pharr-Reynosa International Bridge and other points throughout the city were blocked amid street violence Tuesday morning.
Mexican authorities said there are unconfirmed reports of several street battles have occurred across the city, including near Boulevard Morelos, Rio Purificacion, Mexico Highway 2 near the Pharr-Reynosa International Bridge and Mexico Highway 40 — the highway to Monterrey.
Information about casualties was not immediately available.
"There are some violent events happening," said a Mexican official who was not authorized to comment.
Photos posted by Twitter users today show tour buses being used to block traffic and federal police along Boulevard Morelos.
Reynosa city officials said many routes across the city had been cleared early Tuesday afternoon and that traffic had begun to move normally again.
Pharr Bridge Director Jesse Medina said Mexican officials closed off northbound non-commercial traffic at the bridge about 11 a.m. today.
Shortly before 1 p.m., Medina said Mexican officials are allowing all traffic to pass, but blockages remained near the access road that have prevented most vehicles from crossing.
Some commercial vehicles are still crosssing, Medina said.
"No cars are crossing, not because the bridge is closed, I think, but because people are aware that things are going on over there," he said.
A bulletin sent by Reynosa city officials about 11 a.m. Tuesday said that various points throughout the city, including parts of Boulevard Morelos — a main throughfare on the city's east side — are now blocked to traffic and that people should avoid driving, if possible.
Officials described the blockades as an "situation of risk" and that people should exercise "extreme caution."
"I don't know whether it's a shootout a shooting or shots fired or what," Medina said. "All I know is an incident occurred."
Medina said Mexican bridge officials told him an incident occurred near the interchange of the bridge access road and Mexican Highway 2 — the east-west thoroughfare that cuts across Reynosa.
McAllen Bridge Director George Ramon said northbound traffic at the Hidalgo and Anzalduas international bridges remains open.
Reynosa city officials issued a bulletin about 10:20 a.m. regarding the blockade near the Pharr bridge.
A second bulletin sent by city officials about 10:25 a.m. said the highway between Reynosa and Rio Bravo — Mexico Highway 2 — has been blocked, as well.
It is unknown who is causing the Reynosa blockades, but similar situations have been reported in Monterrey in recent weeks, where suspected drug cartel members have occasionally blocked primary highways that lead to the city in an effort to stop security patrols
