The Mexican town of Reynosa, in the state of Tamaulipas, is widely believed by residents and others across the border to be the most dangerous in the entire country.
Since about 2010, the border town has been awash in waves of violence as rival drug and human-smuggling cartels battle for control.
The violence began in earnest when the Gulf Cartel split away from its former group of enforcers, Los Zetas, which then spurred several gun battles for control of Reynosa’s streets.
The battles have since continued, again coming in waves. Besides fighting with Los Zetas, the Gulf Cartel has suffered a series of internal struggles that have led to even more bloodshed.
Residents of the city have regularly been caught up in the violence as well, being victimized by extortions, business robberies, home invasions, carjackings, kidnappings, and other acts of violence.
According to 2017 statistics, Mexico suffered 29,168 tallied murders, surpassing all prior records. [source]
