Cártel del Golfo

Factions include: Los Escorpiones (the Scorpions), Los Ciclones (the Cyclones), Los Rojos, Los Metros, and Las Panteras (the Panthers). Cártel del Golfo (CDG) is one of the largest organized crime groups operating in the north of Mexico and is comprised of different factions whose primary aim is securing their drug and weapons trafficking business between Mexico and the U.S. They frequently engage in activities against rival organized crime groups and Mexican security forces. Alliances and infighting between the factions are common with each vying for control over several criminal economies, primarily in the state of Tamaulipas along the U.S.-Mexico border. The primary activities conducted by the CDG are drug trafficking, illicit firearms trafficking, human trafficking, facilitation of illegal immigration, extortion, contract killing, and operational protection and security. In March 2023, four American citizens were kidnapped by members of the CDG faction group, los Escorpiones, as they were driving to a medical procedure in Matamoros, Mexico from Texas. Two individuals were killed.