Gulf Cartel Threatens Media Over Lieutenant's Murder in Matamoros
- Authorities discovered the body of Gumercindo 'El Gume' Perez Maya in a parked vehicle on October 6, 2023, in Matamoros, Mexico.
- His murder is believed to stem from internal conflicts within the Gulf Cartel, particularly tensions between rival factions.
- The secrecy surrounding his death and the cartel's influence over local media highlight the pervasive fear and violence in the region.
In Matamoros, Tamaulipas, a body was discovered on October 6, 2023, in a running Lincoln Navigator near a cemetery. The victim was identified as Gumercindo 'El Gume' Perez Maya, a mid-level boss in the Gulf Cartel, who had reportedly been silenced by the cartel after his murder due to alleged betrayal. Despite a lavish funeral that attracted hundreds, local media was instructed not to report on the event. Tensions within the cartel, particularly between factions known as the Escorpiones and Ciclones, were reportedly escalating prior to his death, linked to disputes over leadership and finances. El Gume had a controversial past, including a scandal over stolen vehicles and multiple arrests which he circumvented through bribery. His death, while publicly acknowledged in a short social media post by relatives, has raised questions about the ongoing violence and secretive nature of cartel operations in the region.