Authorities say that four Americans were kidnapped and shot by gunmen as they crossed the Mexican border to purchase medicine. A search is underway to locate them.

According to the FBI, the unidentified Americans entered Matamoros’ northern city from Texas on Friday. They were captured after being shot at by armed men in their minivan.

Mexico’s President said that the four men had gone to buy medicine but ended up being caught between two gunmen.

Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador stated to reporters that these were Americans and that the information we have indicates that they had crossed the border to purchase medicine in Mexico. There was an altercation between the groups and they were taken into custody.

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“It’s already been taken care of. It is likely to be solved. He continued, “I expect it to be so, and I hope so.”

The US President Joe Biden is aware that the kidnappings are “unacceptable”, according to the White House. It added that the White House is ready to provide any consular assistance and that US law enforcement is in contact with Mexican law enforcement.

According to the FBI San Antonio Division, all four Americans were “placed into a vehicle and removed from the scene by armed men”.

Matamoros can be found south of Brownsville, Texas.

Ken Salazar, the US ambassador to Mexico, stated that the Americans were taken at gunpoint and that a Mexican “innocent” was killed.

FBI offers $50,000 in reward

Mexican and US authorities announced Monday that they were working together to locate the four Americans. The FBI offers a $50,000 reward (PS41,000) for safe return and arrest of the suspects.

According to the US Embassy to Mexico, they were traveling in a minivan white with North Carolina number plates as they entered Matamoros.

It was alleged that the armed men fired upon the passengers just after their vehicle crossed the border. They then herded them into another vehicle and fled the scene.

On Friday, four men were seen in a video uploaded to social media. They were wearing body armor and were armed. One man was sitting up and one was still breathing, while the other two appeared to be dead or in serious condition.

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Matamoros is the home of warring Gulf drug cartel factions. Shootouts at Matamoros on Friday were so intense that the US consulate issued a warning and warned residents to seek shelter.

Due to “crime, kidnapping”, the US state department has issued a “do-not-travel” warning for Tamaulipas, where Matamoros can be found.

Brownsville is a border town where US citizens can cross into Mexico to visit their loved ones, shop, or attend medical appointments. It also serves as a point of entry for those who are looking to travel deeper into Mexico.