U.S. officials have expressed concern that a recent drug bust in the northern border city of Mexicali could result in retaliatory violence by the “Los Rusos” crime gang.
In a tersely worded alert issued on Monday, the U.S. Embassy in Mexico urged U.S. citizens to be aware of the potential threat, adding that all “U.S. government activities in, and travel to, Mexicali have been suspended on August 25.”
The statement encouraged U.S. citizens to be aware of their surroundings at all times, to avoid local government buildings in Mexicali and to “notify friends and family of your safety in the event of an incident.”
The U.S. Consulate in Tijuana — about 180 kilometers (112 miles) east of Mexicali — shared the warning, but did not provide any details about the supposed threat.
On Tuesday morning, President Claudia Sheinbaum said the alert was issued due to the possibility that a criminal group could pose a danger, though she said “there is no specific issue.”
The Baja California state government said it has reinforced security in the entire municipality of Mexicali with the cooperation of federal agents and members of the armed forces.
“Prevention, patrol and surveillance efforts continue on a permanent basis to protect the peace of mind of Mexicali families,” Baja California Governor Marina del Pilar said on social media.
She urged members of the public to call 911 in case of emergency, or to make an anonymous report by calling 089.
State Security Minister General Laureano Carrillo said that “rigorous, continuous and coordinated work” is being carried out by state and federal authorities “to prevent and contain any type of contingency in Mexicali.” Mexico’s federal security cabinet released a statement saying it had not identified evidence confirming “a specific or imminent risk to the public” at midday on Tuesday.
El Gabinete de Seguridad informa: pic.twitter.com/43Qwwxr7O1
— Gabinete de Seguridad de México (@GabSeguridadMX) August 25, 2026
Last week, Mexican authorities — with the help of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) — seized 120 kilograms of fentanyl pills in a joint operation carried out in Mexicali by federal and state agents.
The raid occurred at a property linked to “Los Rusos” — a cell operating as part of the Los Mayos faction of the Sinaloa Cartel — and resulted in the seizure of approximately 4 million opioid doses.
According to reporting by Luis Chaparro, U.S. authorities decided to issue the security alert after the DEA intercepted at least one call in which alleged members of Los Rusos appeared to be planning an attack on the Municipal Police and the offices of the Federal Attorney General’s Office in Mexicali.
With reports from El Financiero, El País and La Jornada
