Two U.S. State Department security advisors were gunned down at a taco stand in Mexico after providing training to local police, highlighting the deadly reach of cartels even against those fighting to stop them.
Key Takeaways
- César Gustavo Guzman Gonzalez and Carlos Amador Chavela, who worked as U.S. State Department security advisors, were fatally shot while eating at a taco stand in Tlaquepaque, Jalisco.
- A third advisor, Pablo Cajigal Del Angel, was critically wounded in the attack which occurred after they had completed security training for Jalisco state police officers.
- The area where the attack occurred is controlled by the Cartel Jalisco New Generation (CJNG), which has been designated as a terrorist organization by the United States.
- Mexican authorities are investigating the targeted killings, though the specific motive behind the attack remains unknown.
- The incident underscores the severe risks faced by those working to combat drug trafficking and organized crime in Mexico.
Deadly Ambush After Police Training Session
In a brazen attack highlighting the dangers of combating cartel violence, two U.S. State Department security advisors were killed and a third critically wounded while eating at a taco restaurant in Tlaquepaque, Jalisco. The victims, identified as César Gustavo Guzman Gonzalez and Carlos Amador Chavela, had just completed a security and intelligence training course for Jalisco state police when they were targeted in the shooting. The incident occurred after 9:00 p.m. on a Friday night, with gunmen reportedly fleeing the scene in a red Nissan after executing the carefully planned attack, according to Mexican authorities investigating the case.
“They were true heroes — some of the bravest individuals I have ever known,” said Arturo Fontes.
The deceased were both experienced security professionals with extensive backgrounds. Guzman had recently completed contract work for the U.S. State Department and had connections with Interpol, Mexico’s Attorney General’s Office, and Jalisco State Police. Amador served as the former undersecretary of security for Hidalgo state. The third victim, Pablo Cajigal, previously worked as secretary of security for Chihuahua state and remains in critical condition following the attack. According to retired FBI agent Arturo Fontes, he had previously worked with Guzman conducting counter-drug classes for Mexican police officers.
Cartel Territory and Targeted Violence
Tlaquepaque, where the attack occurred, falls within territory controlled by the notorious Cartel Jalisco New Generation (CJNG), one of Mexico’s most violent criminal organizations. The U.S. government has designated CJNG as a terrorist organization, reflecting the severity of the threat they pose. While the specific motive for targeting these security advisors remains unclear, the area’s long history of cartel violence suggests their work training local police may have put them in the crosshairs of powerful criminal elements operating in the region.
The timing of this attack is particularly noteworthy as it comes shortly after the U.S. Department of Justice filed terrorism-related charges against a woman linked to CJNG operations, potentially indicating escalating tensions between American law enforcement efforts and cartel activities. The U.S. consulate in Guadalajara acknowledged the incident but clarified that the men were not currently working for the diplomatic mission at the time of the attack, despite their previous affiliations with American security programs.
“We are deeply concerned about any act of violence and express our condolences to the victims and their families,” said the U.S. consulate in Guadalajara.
Border Security Implications
This deadly incident serves as a stark reminder of the violent realities just across our southern border where criminal organizations operate with shocking impunity. The men killed were actively working to improve security and train Mexican police forces – precisely the kind of bilateral cooperation needed to address the cartel violence that continues to spill over into the United States. Their murders demonstrate the extraordinary risks faced by those battling these criminal enterprises on the front lines and underscores why border security remains a critical priority for American national security.
With cartel violence intensifying and these organizations increasingly emboldened, this tragic attack highlights the challenges President Trump’s administration faces in securing our border against criminals who have shown they will target even law enforcement trainers working to improve regional security. As Mexican authorities continue their investigation, the incident serves as a somber reminder of the dangerous consequences of allowing these criminal organizations to expand their influence and operational capacity so close to American soil.
