Four Americans Kidnapped by Gulf Cartel in Mexico

Four Americans were kidnapped in Matamoros, in the Mexican state of Tamaulipas, on March 3, 2023, after crossing the border from the United States. According to sources, members of the Gulf Cartel mistook the group for Haitian drug smugglers.

The four victims were Shaeed Woodard, Zindell Brown, LaTavia McGee, and Eric James Williams. Two of them — Woodard and Brown — were killed during the kidnapping. McGee and Williams survived.

The Cartel's Own Reckoning

In a remarkable turn of events, the Gulf Cartel's own leadership moved to arrest five of its members just four days later, on March 7, 2023. The five were held responsible for the kidnapping and killings.

The cartel subsequently issued a formal written apology, stating that the five members had acted in direct violation of the organization's internal rules. This suggests the kidnapping and killings were regarded as unauthorized acts within the group.

American Intelligence Involvement

During the investigation, U.S. intelligence agencies intercepted communications from the Gulf Cartel to help resolve the case and coordinate the operation. The effort underscored the extent to which the United States was engaged in tracking down those responsible for the killing of American citizens abroad.