U.S. Coast Guard Incident Near Mexican Border Leads to Dispute Over Gunfire Origin

<p>A firefight involving U.S. Coast Guard personnel along the Mexican border has resulted in a dispute between the United States and Mexico regarding the source of the gunfire, despite ongoing coordinated border security operations between the two nations.</p><p>The Coast Guard reported that personnel engaged in joint interdiction operations near Garceno, Texas, were fired upon from the Mexican side of the border on September 26 and returned fire. There were no reported injuries or damage to Coast Guard vessels or equipment, and the incident is currently under investigation.</p><p>U.S. Ambassador to Mexico Ronald Johnson stated that Coast Guard personnel had come under fire, prompting Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum to request evidence that the shots originated from Mexico. "We asked for all the evidence because we have no evidence," Sheinbaum told reporters, noting that Mexican security forces had not detected shots from their territory.</p><p>The U.S. State Department confirmed that information regarding the shooting had been shared with Mexican authorities. A State Department spokesperson stated, "U.S. Coast Guard personnel were fired upon from Mexican territory on September 26, and we have shared the available information with the Government of Mexico through official channels." However, the department did not specify what information was shared or when, and U.S. officials have not publicly identified the shooters or explained how they determined the origin of the gunfire.</p><p>The incident occurred during Operation River Wall, a Coast Guard initiative launched in October 2025 aimed at deterring illegal migration, drug smuggling, and other threats along approximately 300 miles of the Rio Grande. A Coast Guard spokesperson indicated that over the past year, the Coast Guard has expanded operations in the region, deploying more than 1,000 personnel and over 30 assets.</p><p>Separately, Mexico's Navy Ministry, led by Secretary Raymundo Morales-Angeles, reported the deployment of 159 naval elements, 11 vehicles, and two drones to the Tamaulipas sector. U.S. Northern Command (NORTHCOM) also indicated that American troops are being repositioned to the Rio Grande Valley in anticipation of a seasonal increase in illegal border crossings.</p><p>When asked whether Mexico had received evidence from U.S. authorities or initiated its own investigation, a representative for Mexican Ambassador to the U.S. Roberto Lazzeri Montaño directed inquiries to Sheinbaum's recent comments regarding the incident. Sheinbaum stated that Mexico's military ministry maintains communication with NORTHCOM and the Coast Guard, and that a "mirror operation" coordinated with the U.S. remains active. She emphasized the desire for a good relationship with the United States while respecting Mexico's sovereignty and territorial integrity.</p><p>Fox News Digital also sought comments from Sheinbaum's office.</p><p>Santiago Vidal Calvo, a Venezuelan-born immigration analyst at the Manhattan Institute, noted that Sheinbaum's approach to border security is influenced by pressure from Washington and a broader shift toward right-wing governments in Latin America. He suggested that her demand for evidence regarding the Coast Guard shooting may reflect internal political pressures to justify cooperation with the Trump administration.</p><p>Calvo characterized Sheinbaum as the "last bastion of Latin American socialism" and indicated that she may face increased pressure to cooperate with Washington on security matters, particularly if right-leaning candidates succeed in upcoming elections in the region.</p><p>Border security policy analyst Simon Hankinson stated that gunfire near the Rio Grande is not unprecedented, mentioning previous accounts from border visits. He expressed skepticism about the likelihood of Mexican military personnel firing across the border unless acting against orders.</p><p>The Coast Guard confirmed that the circumstances surrounding the incident remain under investigation.</p>