NUEVO LAREDO, Mexico, June 13 (UPI) -- A Mexican city near the U.S. border removed the remainder of its police force from the streets after a weekend shootout between police and federal agents. A federal agent was wounded when Mexican city and federal police in Nuevo Laredo swapped gunfire in a battle Saturday that officials characterized as a mistake. Authorities said 41 civil police officers were detained for questioning about their role in the shootout.
The federal forces, which went to Nuevo Laredo to reinforce the city's security amid a violent crime wave, are now in charge, El Universal newspaper reported Monday. The shootout is just the latest strike against the city's law enforcement. Last week, newly appointed police chief was killed last week, just hours after assuming the position. |