Drug Cartel News 2014: Gunmen Kidnap Then Brutally Beat American to Death

Two Americans were kidnapped by members of a Mexican drug cartel. One of the men survived and escaped while the other succumbed to injuries sustained while in the company of his kidnappers. The incident took place immediately south of the Texas-Mexico border.

The two men, Erick Canandoza and Carlos Vela Moreno, were reportedly from the city of Brownsville, Texas and crossed the border in order to sell a car via the Progreso International Bridge. The two were journeying to Matamoros to complete their transaction when their car unexpectedly broke down. 

At that point, the men pulled over on the side of the road and were quickly ambushed by two vehicles containing gunman, according to Texas sheriffs.

"They pulled over to the side of the road and that is when two vehicles with six or seven men carrying various firearms kidnapped them," explained Cameron County Sheriff Omar Lucio. "They took them to a wooded area away from any residences and began to beat them." 

Sheriff's deputies found the two men at the Los Indios International Bridge, Candanoza was dead when they arrived and Vela was suffering from severe injuries. Vela was then taken to a nearby hospital. 

Vela explained to authorities that Candanoza was beaten more severely than he, allegedly over a dispute with a relative. The cartel members are thought to have been targeting Candaloza because of this dispute. According to Vela, the gunmen took he and Candaloza to a local hospital after beating the two. From there they made their way to the Los Indios Bridge.

The investigation is still ongoing, and sheriffs are coordinating with the U.S. Consulate Office in the city of Matamoros to better understand what happened. 

"Sadly enough the security threats continue in Mexico that is why I tell the public if you don't have to go over there don't go. And if you do have to go, go in the daytime and be very careful. I sure hope things calm down eventually," stated Lucio. 

In recent years the U.S.-Mexico border has been plagued by violent crime, with border towns on both sides being the site of murders, kidnappings and drug trafficking activity.