Coast Guard Returns Fire After Shots From Mexican Side Of Rio Grande
On Sept. 26, 2026, U.S. Coast Guard personnel exchanged gunfire with unidentified shooters on the Mexican side of the Rio Grande near Garceno in Starr County, Texas, with no U.S. injuries reported.[1]
The Coast Guard said no Coast Guard assets were damaged and that the incident is under investigation with federal partners.[1] U.S. Ambassador to Mexico Ronald Johnson said about 500 Mexican Army and National Guard troops are being deployed to the area and will coordinate directly with U.S. forces.[1]
Operation River Wall was launched in October 2025 to bolster Coast Guard patrols along roughly 260 miles of the Rio Grande.[1] U.S. military officials said hundreds of U.S. troops and equipment were repositioned to the Rio Grande Valley, citing the Sept. 26 firefight as an example of increased illegal activity.[1]
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📌 Key Facts
- On September 26, 2026, Coast Guard personnel exchanged gunfire with unidentified shooters on the Mexican side of the Rio Grande near Garceno, Starr County, Texas.
- The Coast Guard reported no injuries to U.S. personnel and no damage to Coast Guard assets and said the incident is under investigation with federal partners.
- U.S. Ambassador to Mexico Ronald Johnson said about 500 Mexican Army and National Guard troops are being deployed to the area and will coordinate directly with U.S. forces.
- The U.S. military said hundreds of U.S. troops and equipment were repositioned to the Rio Grande Valley and cited the Sept. 26 firefight as an example of increased illegal activity.
- The encounter occurred under Operation River Wall, launched in October 2025 to bolster Coast Guard patrols along roughly 260 miles of the Rio Grande.
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