View source for 2010 San Fernando massacre

{{Short description|2010 mass murder in San Fernando, Mexico}}
{{Distinguish|text=the [[2011 San Fernando massacre]], another mass murder of 193 people, or the [[1868 San Fernando massacre]], which took place in [[Paraguay]]}}
{{Infobox civilian attack
| title            = 2010 San Fernando massacre
| partof           = the [[Mexican drug war]]
| image            = 
| image_size       = 
| caption          = 
| map              = {{Location map|Tamaulipas#Mexico|float=center}}
| location         = [[San Fernando, Tamaulipas|San Fernando]], [[Tamaulipas]], [[Mexico]]
| coordinates      = {{coord|24|55|46|N|97|56|44|W|source:kolossus-nlwiki_type:event_region:MX-TAM|display=inline,title}}
| target           = [[Civilian]]s and [[Gulf Cartel]] [[hitmen]]
| mission          = 
| date             = {{Start date and age|2010|08|24|df=yes}}
| time             = 
| timezone         = 
| type             = [[Mass murder]], [[kidnapping]]
| fatalities       = 72
| injuries         = 3<ref name=3vivos>{{cite news|title=Presidente de El Salvador dice que hay un tercer sobreviviente de masacre|url=http://expansion.mx/mundo/2010/09/05/presidente-de-el-salvador-dice-que-hay-un-tercer-sobreviviente-de-masacre|access-date=8 March 2012|newspaper=Expansion|date=5 September 2010|language=es|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180207005305/https://expansion.mx/mundo/2010/09/05/presidente-de-el-salvador-dice-que-hay-un-tercer-sobreviviente-de-masacre|archive-date=7 February 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>
| perp             = [[Los Zetas]]
| weapons          = 
}}
{{Campaignbox Mexican Drug War}}

The '''2010 San Fernando massacre''', also known as the '''first massacre of San Fernando''',<ref>{{cite news|title=San Fernando, otra vez. ¿Cuántas más?|url=http://www.jornada.unam.mx/2011/04/24/opinion/015a1pol|access-date=6 March 2012|newspaper=[[La Jornada]]|date=24 April 2011|language=es|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120209095246/http://www.jornada.unam.mx/2011/04/24/opinion/015a1pol|archive-date=9 February 2012|url-status=live}}</ref> was the mass murder of 72 undocumented immigrants by the [[Los Zetas]] drug cartel in the village of El Huizachal in the municipality of [[San Fernando, Tamaulipas|San Fernando]], [[Tamaulipas]], Mexico. The 72 killed—58 men and 14 women—were mainly from Central and South America, and they were shot in the back of the head and then piled up together. The bodies were found inside a ranch on 24 August 2010 by the [[Mexican military]] after they engaged in an armed confrontation with members of a drug cartel.<ref>{{cite news|title=Marina encuentra 72 cuerpos en fosa en Tamaulipas|url=http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/notas/703946.html|access-date=6 March 2012|newspaper=[[El Universal (Mexico City)|El Universal]]|date=25 August 2010|language=es|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120110083438/http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/notas/703946.html|archive-date=10 January 2012|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Los Zetas" reclutaban migrantes en San Fernando|url=http://www.milenio.com/cdb/doc/noticias2011/1e8c1391d6d8c8a64ec0912c539989df|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130128162448/http://www.milenio.com/cdb/doc/noticias2011/1e8c1391d6d8c8a64ec0912c539989df|url-status=dead|archive-date=28 January 2013|access-date=7 March 2012|newspaper=[[Milenio]]|date=23 August 2010|language=es}}</ref> They received information of the place after one of the three survivors survived a shot to the neck and face, faked his death, and then fled to a military checkpoint to seek help.<ref name=teentalks>{{cite news|title=Migrants killed for refusing to be assassins, teen says|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna38867434|access-date=6 March 2012|publisher=[[MSN News]]|date=26 August 2010}}</ref><ref name=3vivos/> Investigators later mentioned that the massacre was a result of the immigrants' refusal to work for Los Zetas,<ref name="teentalks" /> or to provide money for their release.

On 17 June 2011 the [[Federal Police (Mexico)|Federal Police]] captured Édgar Huerta Montiel, alias ''El Wache'', the major perpetrator of the mass murder. His contention was that the immigrants were killed because Los Zetas believed that they were going to be recruited by the [[Gulf Cartel]], a rival gang.<ref name=Wache>{{cite news|title=Policías federales detienen al coordinador de la masacre en San Fernando|url=http://expansion.mx/nacional/2011/06/17/policias-federales-detienen-al-coordinador-de-la-masacre-en-san-fernando|access-date=6 March 2012|newspaper=Expansion|date=17 June 2011|language=es|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180207005207/https://expansion.mx/nacional/2011/06/17/policias-federales-detienen-al-coordinador-de-la-masacre-en-san-fernando|archive-date=7 February 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> He also confessed that other bodies were put in mass graves.<ref name=Wache/> The immigrants were abducted from several buses, the same way others were abducted for the [[2011 San Fernando massacre]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Caso San Fernando: la hipótesis de los autobuses secuestrados se fortalece|url=http://expansion.mx/nacional/2011/04/08/caso-san-fernando-se-fortalece-la-hipotesis-de-los-autobuses-secuestrados|access-date=6 March 2012|newspaper=Expansion|date=8 April 2010|language=es|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160729115018/http://expansion.mx/nacional/2011/04/08/caso-san-fernando-se-fortalece-la-hipotesis-de-los-autobuses-secuestrados|archive-date=29 July 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> The police chief that was in charge of leading the investigation of the massacre was killed by suspected members of a drug cartel.<ref>{{cite news|title=Report: Mexican cop investigating murders of 72 migrants is dead|url=http://content.usatoday.com/communities/ondeadline/post/2010/08/report-mexican-cop-investigating-murders-of-72-migrants-is-dead/1#.T1W_rnK3CFc|access-date=6 March 2012|newspaper=[[USA Today]]|date=27 August 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110429085636/http://content.usatoday.com/communities/ondeadline/post/2010/08/report-mexican-cop-investigating-murders-of-72-migrants-is-dead/1#.T1W_rnK3CFc|archive-date=29 April 2011|url-status=live}}</ref>

The massacre was reported as "the biggest single discovery of its kind" in the [[Mexican Drug War]],<ref name="Reuters 72">{{cite news|title=Drug hitmen dump 72 bodies at Mexican ranch|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE67O2NF20100826|access-date=26 August 2010|publisher=[[Reuters]]|date=25 August 2010|author=Robin Emmott|author2=Patrick Rucker|author3=Miguel Angel Gutierrez|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100826173721/http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE67O2NF20100826|archive-date=26 August 2010|url-status=live}}</ref> and as "the worst known atrocity committed by Mexico's drug trafficking organization to date".<ref>{{cite news|title=People-smuggling: No safe passage|url=http://www.economist.com/node/16994348?story_id=16994348|access-date=6 March 2012|newspaper=[[The Economist]]|date=9 September 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110921225137/http://www.economist.com/node/16994348?story_id=16994348|archive-date=21 September 2011|url-status=live}}</ref> The [[National Alliance of Latin American and Caribbean Communities]] asked for those responsible "to be brought to justice for such atrocity", and [[Amnesty International]] said that this "human rights crisis" is a result of "one of the most dangerous trajectories" undocumented immigrants have to cross before reaching the United States.<ref>{{cite news|title=Varias organizaciones en EE.UU. condenan matanza de 72 inmigrantes en México|url=http://noticias.terra.com.ar/sociedad/varias-organizaciones-en-eeuu-condenan-matanza-de-72-inmigrantes-en-mexico,16c1a3fa070ba210VgnVCM3000009af154d0RCRD.html|access-date=6 March 2012|publisher=[[Terra Networks]]|date=26 August 2010|language=es|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140301082333/http://noticias.terra.com.ar/sociedad/varias-organizaciones-en-eeuu-condenan-matanza-de-72-inmigrantes-en-mexico,16c1a3fa070ba210VgnVCM3000009af154d0RCRD.html|archive-date=1 March 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> The Mexican drug trafficking organizations often use vacant lots, ranches, and mine shafts to keep their victims and execute their rivals.<ref name=carteldump>{{cite news|title=Marines find 72 bodies in Tamaulipas state|url=http://www.themonitor.com/articles/state-42166-bodies-tamaulipas.html|access-date=10 July 2012|newspaper=[[The Monitor (Texas)|The Monitor]]|date=25 August 2010|archive-url=https://archive.today/20100827144035/http://www.themonitor.com/articles/state-42166-bodies-tamaulipas.html|archive-date=2010-08-27|url-status=dead}}</ref> Nonetheless, in 2010, this was the largest body dumping ground found since the start of Mexico's drug war.<ref name=carteldump/>

The massacre was condemned by a number of countries and international organizations. [[Felipe Calderón]], the president of Mexico at the time, condemned the massacre and sent his condolences to the families of those affected.<ref>{{cite news|title=Felipe Calderón acusa al grupo 'Los Zetas' del crimen de los 72 migrantes|url=http://expansion.mx/nacional/2010/08/26/felipe-calderon-acusa-al-grupo-los-zetas-del-crimen-de-los-72-migrantes|access-date=6 March 2012|newspaper=Expansion|date=26 August 2010|language=es|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180207005240/https://expansion.mx/nacional/2010/08/26/felipe-calderon-acusa-al-grupo-los-zetas-del-crimen-de-los-72-migrantes|archive-date=7 February 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Background==

===Illegal immigration in Mexico===
{{main|Illegal immigration to the United States}}

The routes of [[illegal immigration in Mexico]] are stalked with "kidnappers, murderers, rapists and corrupt officials," and are regarded as "one of the most perilous migration routes in the world."<ref name=dangerousroute>{{cite news|title=Kidnap, rape, murder: the dangers faced in Mexico by migrants to US|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2010/apr/27/mexico-dangers-migrants-to-us|access-date=7 March 2012|newspaper=[[The Guardian]]|date=27 April 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130910122732/http://www.theguardian.com/world/2010/apr/27/mexico-dangers-migrants-to-us|archive-date=10 September 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> Every year, tens of thousands of poor immigrants from [[Central America|Central]] and [[South America]] start their journey up to the north. Nonetheless, in the past few years, their journey "has become a horror show."<ref name=dangerousroute/> According to [[Amnesty International]], armed and violent robberies used to be the biggest threat to those traveling up north; nowadays, kidnappings by organized crime groups are the norm (in this case, [[Los Zetas]]).<ref name=dangerousroute/> Typically, the kidnappers keep the victims in safe houses for days until relatives of the victims in the [[United States]] or back home raise money to free the captives.<ref name=dangerousroute/> [[Torture]] is a common method used in incidents like this, and several victims have claimed after their liberation that they have seen people killed before their eyes for failing to pay their ransom.<ref name=dangerousroute/> [[Rape]] is also common in the migrants' journey, and even smugglers have advised women to carry contraceptive injections before starting their journeys.<ref name=london>{{cite web|last=Jácome|first=Felipe|title=Trans-Mexican Migration: a Case of Structural Violence|url=http://clas.georgetown.edu/files/Trans-Mexican%20Migration%20-%20Felipe%20Jacome.pdf|publisher=London School of Economics|access-date=7 March 2012}}{{Dead link|date=September 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> The migrants are also exploited, beaten, extorted, and abused by "authorities and criminals alike."<ref name=london/>

The [[National Human Rights Commission]] reported that "nearly 10,000 migrants were kidnapped in Mexico during a six-month period [in 2009]."<ref>{{cite news|title=Honduran Migrants Rescued|url=http://www.hondurasnews.com/honduran-migrants-rescued/#.T1ckv3K3CFc|access-date=7 March 2012|newspaper=Honduras News|date=28 October 2010}}</ref> The Mexican government, as a result, has been criticized for not providing "adequate security" for the migrants in its country.<ref>{{cite news|title=Mexico investigating kidnapping of 50 Central American migrants|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2010-dec-23-la-fg-mexico-migrants-20101223-story.html|access-date=7 March 2012|newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]]|date=23 December 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120306021650/http://articles.latimes.com/2010/dec/23/world/la-fg-mexico-migrants-20101223|archive-date=6 March 2012|url-status=live}}</ref> This massacre was the third time since the start of the [[Mexican Drug War]] that the Mexican authorities had "discovered large masses of corpses."<ref name=before/> The first one was in [[Taxco, Guerrero]], where several mass graves held up to [[Guerrero mass graves|55 bodies]]. The second incident happened in [[Nuevo León]], where more than [[Nuevo León mass graves|70 bodies]] were found.<ref name=before>{{cite news|title=Official: 72 found dead in Mexico may be migrants|url=http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2010/aug/25/marines-find-72-bodies-northern-mexico/?page=all|access-date=7 March 2012|newspaper=[[The Washington Times]]|date=25 August 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160307022158/http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2010/aug/25/marines-find-72-bodies-northern-mexico/?page=all|archive-date=7 March 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> In addition, the killings of the migrants highlighted an under-reported but highly profitable business: the kidnapping of migrants for money and work by the drug cartels in Mexico.<ref>{{cite news|last=Gil|first=Inma|title=Mexico migrants victimised by drug cartels|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-11109404|access-date=7 March 2012|publisher=[[BBC News]]|date=27 August 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120120014022/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-11109404|archive-date=20 January 2012|url-status=live}}</ref>

{{Quotation|Migrants in Mexico are facing a major human rights crisis leaving them with virtually no access to justice, fearing reprisals and deportation if they complain of abuses. Persistent failure by the authorities to tackle abuses carried out against irregular migrants has made their journey through Mexico one of the most dangerous in the world.<ref name=amnestybox/>|[[Amnesty International]], a non-governmental organisation focused on human rights.<ref name=amnestybox>{{cite web|title=WIDESPREAD ABUSE OF MIGRANTS IN MEXICO IS 'HUMAN RIGHTS CRISIS'|url=https://www.amnesty.org/es/node/16509|publisher=[[Amnesty International]]|access-date=7 March 2012}}</ref>}}

===Before the violence===
Local residents claim that arms trafficking, car thefts, and drug trade have "always existed" in [[San Fernando, Tamaulipas|San Fernando]], but in 2004 [[Los Zetas]] arrived in the area.<ref name=zetas2004>{{cite news|title=Miedo en San Fernando: Sabíamos qué pasaba, pero nadie hablaba |url=http://www.vanguardia.com.mx/miedoensanfernandosabiamosquepasabaperonadiehablaba-1222628.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130221090821/http://www.vanguardia.com.mx/miedoensanfernandosabiamosquepasabaperonadiehablaba-1222628.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=21 February 2013 |access-date=9 March 2012 |newspaper=[[La Vanguardia]] |date=20 February 2012 |language=es }}</ref> They began to establish themselves little by little, and local residents remember seeing convoys of "luxurious trucks entering and leaving the city, going into stores and buying goods".<ref name=zetas2004/> They claimed that before the [[Mexican Drug War]] (which began in 2006) and the rupture between the [[Gulf Cartel]] and Los Zetas (which happened in early 2010), the cartels "would not kidnap or steal. In fact, they would always pay for the goods they bought in stores."<ref name=zetas2004/> They would live outside the city limits in ranches.<ref name=zetas2004/> But then they began to live in city neighborhoods, and the "people started to get involved with them."<ref name=zetas2004/> A local resident claimed that many families had "at least one member involved in the drug trade", and that is why he claims many in San Fernando were scared when the violence erupted. His mother gave instructions on what to do if he is kidnapped by the cartels:

{{Quotation|If they come for you, do not let them take you alive. We will at least know where you are and we will have your body with us to mourn.<ref>{{cite news|last=Torre|first=Alberto|title=Sabíamos qué pasaba, pero nadie hablaba|url=http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/194114.html|access-date=9 March 2012|newspaper=[[El Universal (Mexico City)|El Universal]]|date=20 February 2012|language=es|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131212023040/http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/194114.html|archive-date=12 December 2013|url-status=live}}</ref>}}

===Gulf-Zeta cartels split===
{{main|Mexican Drug War}}

Before the violence erupted in Tamaulipas, [[San Fernando, Tamaulipas|San Fernando]] was known for its bass fishing and dove hunting, and the area had long been popular with outdoor enthusiasts from Texas and other US states. One day, a group of dove hunters from [[Houston, Texas]] reported being assaulted by a group of heavily armed gunmen in San Fernando.<ref>{{cite news|title=Survivor of Mexico slaughter details immigrants' final moments|url=http://www.chron.com/news/nation-world/article/Survivor-of-Mexico-slaughter-details-immigrants-1697438.php|access-date=8 March 2012|newspaper=[[The Houston Chronicle]]|date=25 August 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130427005236/http://www.chron.com/news/nation-world/article/Survivor-of-Mexico-slaughter-details-immigrants-1697438.php|archive-date=27 April 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> On 26 June 2010, just outside San Fernando, 15 bodies were found on [[Mexican Federal Highway 101|Federal Highway 101]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Tiran 15 cuerpos en carretera de Tamaulipas|url=http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/notas/698610.html|access-date=8 March 2012|newspaper=El Universal|date=26 June 2010|language=es|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100802045745/http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/notas/698610.html|archive-date=2 August 2010|url-status=live}}</ref> The violence between the [[Gulf Cartel]] and [[Los Zetas]], their former armed wing, continued.<ref>{{cite news|title=San Fernando, municipio fantasma por la violencia|url=http://www.informador.com.mx/mexico/2011/291194/6/san-fernando-municipio-fantasma-por-la-violencia.htm|access-date=8 March 2012|newspaper=Informador|date=11 May 2011|language=es|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110513001828/http://www.informador.com.mx/mexico/2011/291194/6/san-fernando-municipio-fantasma-por-la-violencia.htm|archive-date=13 May 2011|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2010, Los Zetas broke apart from the Gulf Cartel and both organizations began to turn their weapons against each other.<ref>{{cite news|title=Gulf Cartel vs. Los Zetas... One year later|url=http://www.borderlandbeat.com/2011/02/cdg-vs-zetas-one-year-later.html|access-date=28 January 2012|newspaper=[[Borderland Beat]]|date=26 February 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120128020123/http://www.borderlandbeat.com/2011/02/cdg-vs-zetas-one-year-later.html|archive-date=28 January 2012|url-status=live}}</ref> The clash between these two groups first happened in [[Reynosa, Tamaulipas]], and then expanded to [[Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas|Nuevo Laredo]] and [[Matamoros, Tamaulipas|Matamoros]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Penhaul|first=Kent|title=La ley del silencio en Reynosa sólo la rompe... Twitter|url=http://expansion.mx/nacional/2010/06/21/la-ley-del-silencio-en-reynosa-solo-la-rompe-twitter|access-date=28 January 2012|newspaper=Expansion|date=21 June 2010|language=es|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180207005134/https://expansion.mx/nacional/2010/06/21/la-ley-del-silencio-en-reynosa-solo-la-rompe-twitter|archive-date=7 February 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> The war then spread out through 11 municipalities of [[Tamaulipas]], 9 of them bordering the state of [[Texas]].<ref>{{cite news|title=La guerra Golfo-zetas, en 11 municipios tamaulipecos; nueve son fronterizos con EU|url=http://www.jornada.unam.mx/2010/11/12/politica/007n1pol|access-date=28 January 2012|newspaper=[[La Jornada]]|date=12 November 2010|language=es|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121022234754/http://www.jornada.unam.mx/2010/11/12/politica/007n1pol|archive-date=22 October 2012|url-status=live}}</ref> Soon, the violence generated between these two groups had spread to Tamaulipas' neighboring states of [[Nuevo León]] and [[Veracruz]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Los Zetas y el cártel del Golfo se pelean por Monterrey|url=http://noticias.univision.com/narcotrafico/reportajes/slideshow/2011-07-11/los-zetas-cartel-del-golfo-pelean-monterrey|access-date=28 January 2012|publisher=[[Univision]]|language=es|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111224172614/http://noticias.univision.com/narcotrafico/reportajes/slideshow/2011-07-11/los-zetas-cartel-del-golfo-pelean-monterrey|archive-date=24 December 2011|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=La batalla del cártel del Golfo y "Los Zetas" por la Huasteca|url=http://www.proceso.com.mx/?p=293299|access-date=28 January 2012|newspaper=Proceso|date=31 December 2011|language=es|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120131110025/http://www.proceso.com.mx/?p=293299|archive-date=31 January 2012|url-status=live}}</ref> In the midsts of violence and panic, local authorities and the media tried to minimize the situation and claim that "nothing was occurring," but the facts were impossible to cover up.<ref>{{cite news|title=La guerra del cártel del Golfo y Los Zetas, mañana 24 de febrero se cumple un año|url=http://www.mundonarco.org/2011/02/la-guerra-de-el-cartel-del-golfo-y-los.html?zx=862b69e2d65cce53|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131216183527/http://www.mundonarco.org/2011/02/la-guerra-de-el-cartel-del-golfo-y-los.html?zx=862b69e2d65cce53|url-status=dead|archive-date=16 December 2013|access-date=28 January 2012|newspaper=Mundo Narco|date=23 February 2011|language=es}}</ref> Confrontations between these two groups paralyzed entire cities in broad daylight.<ref>{{cite news|title=Enfrentamientos entre el cártel del Golfo y Los Zetas paralizaron Nuevo Laredo|url=http://www.jornada.unam.mx/2011/05/20/politica/013n1pol|access-date=28 January 2012|newspaper=La Jornada|date=20 May 2011|language=es|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117030825/http://www.jornada.unam.mx/2011/05/20/politica/013n1pol|archive-date=17 November 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> Several witnesses claimed that many of the municipalities throughout Tamaulipas were "war zones," and that many businesses and houses were burned down, leaving areas in "total destruction."<ref>{{cite news|title=The Missing in Tamaulipas|url=http://www.borderlandbeat.com/2010/04/missing-in-tamaulipas.html|access-date=28 January 2012|newspaper=[[Borderland Beat]]|date=26 April 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120128200322/http://www.borderlandbeat.com/2010/04/missing-in-tamaulipas.html|archive-date=28 January 2012|url-status=live}}</ref> The bloodbath in Tamaulipas has caused thousands of deaths, but many of the shootings and killings often go unreported.<ref>{{cite news|title=All Tamaulipas, a War Zone|url=http://www.borderlandbeat.com/2010/04/all-tamaulipas-war-zone.html|access-date=28 January 2012|newspaper=[[Borderland Beat]]|date=22 April 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120128191220/http://www.borderlandbeat.com/2010/04/all-tamaulipas-war-zone.html|archive-date=28 January 2012|url-status=live}}</ref>

In the city of [[San Fernando, Tamaulipas]], the Gulf Cartel forces of [[Antonio Cárdenas Guillén]], alias ''Tony Tormenta'', "strung the bodies of fallen Zetas and their associates from light poles".{{attribution needed|date=September 2017}}<ref name=sanfernandomonitor>{{cite news|title=After two-year struggle Gulf Cartel, Zetas at impasse |url=http://www.themonitor.com/articles/cartel-59178-zetas-gulf.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120308083331/http://www.themonitor.com/articles/cartel-59178-zetas-gulf.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=8 March 2012 |access-date=9 March 2012 |newspaper=[[The Monitor (Texas)|The Monitor]] |date=3 March 2012 }}</ref> The Gulf Cartel lashed out to attack Los Zetas at their stronghold in San Fernando. According to ''[[The Monitor (Texas)|The Monitor]]'', the municipality of San Fernando is a "virtual spiderweb" of dirt roads that connect with [[Monterrey]], [[Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas|Nuevo Laredo]], [[Reynosa]], and [[Matamoros, Tamaulipas|Matamoros]]—making it a prized territory for drug traffickers.<ref name=sanfernandomonitor/> In January 2011, Nancy Davis, a US missionary, was traveling with her husband Sam through the municipality of San Fernando.<ref name=houstonmission/> According to [[Pharr, Texas]] police, the Davises encountered a group of heavily armed men, who tried to force their blue 2008 Chevrolet 2500 pickup off the highway.<ref name=houstonmission/> When they tried to flee, the gunmen shot at them, striking Nancy in the head. Sam drove back to [[McAllen, Texas]] where his wife was pronounced dead.<ref name=houstonmission>{{cite news|last=Busch|first=Jason|title=Husband, slain missionary defied cartels to share their faith|url=http://www.chron.com/life/houston-belief/article/Husband-slain-missionary-defied-cartels-to-share-1692664.php|access-date=9 March 2012|newspaper=[[The Houston Chronicle]]|date=28 January 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140329013550/http://www.chron.com/life/houston-belief/article/Husband-slain-missionary-defied-cartels-to-share-1692664.php|archive-date=29 March 2014|url-status=live}}</ref>

The first shootout that occurred in San Fernando in 2010 happened near a hospital. According to local residents, heavily armed gunmen began to fight in certain avenues throughout the city, and even shot the police station.<ref name=elmiedo>{{cite news|title=El miedo no se ha ido... |url=http://www.elmanana.com/diario/noticia/Tamaulipas/Noticias/El%20miedo%20no%20se%20ha%20ido.../1529635 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130122030805/http://www.elmanana.com/diario/noticia/Tamaulipas/Noticias/El%20miedo%20no%20se%20ha%20ido.../1529635 |url-status=dead |archive-date=22 January 2013 |access-date=9 March 2012 |newspaper=El Mañana |date=20 February 2012 |language=es }}</ref> None of the shootings made it on the news.<ref name=elmiedo/> A man who was interviewed mentioned that even before the two massacres were discovered, people were being kidnapped at an alarming rate, but "they were scared" of the reprisals by the cartels.<ref name=elmiedo/> He went on to say that the cartels had San Fernando "under control," and that they "were the authority."<ref name=elmiedo/> Witnesses stated that the cartels would enter the city "in convoys with more than 200 SUVs", and that the policemen were no challenge for them.<ref name=elmiedo/> The cartel gunmen wore military uniform, were heavily armed, and would constantly attack policemen and other civilians alike.<ref name=elmiedo/>

==Massacre==
The 72 immigrants were traveling through [[Tamaulipas]] to the United States when a convoy of [[Los Zetas]] surrounded their vehicles and cut them off the road.<ref name=completa>{{cite news|last=Gómez|first=Francisco|title=Se negaron a ser sicarios; "Los Zetas" los fusilaron|url=http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/primera/35447.html|access-date=6 March 2012|newspaper=El Universal|date=26 August 2010|language=es|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121019070336/http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/primera/35447.html|archive-date=19 October 2012|url-status=live}}</ref> Then, they were forced to get out of their vehicles, and the gunmen warned them that they were members of Los Zetas. They were taken to a warehouse inside a ranch, where one by one, the immigrants were put on their knees and placed against a wall. They were told to remain with their knees on the ground, and then they were shot, one by one, in the back of the head.<ref name=completa/> There was one survivor—an [[Ecuadorian]]—who was shot in the neck and faked his death until the perpetrators left the area.<ref name=rte>{{cite news | title=72 bodies found on ranch in Mexico | url=http://www.rte.ie/news/2010/0825/mexico.html | access-date=26 August 2010 | publisher=[[RTÉ News and Current Affairs|RTÉ News]] | date=25 August 2010 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100827181822/http://www.rte.ie/news/2010/0825/mexico.html | archive-date=27 August 2010 | url-status=live }}</ref> He then traveled more than 22 kilometers until he reached a [[military checkpoint]] where he notified the Mexican marines of the area where the massacre had occurred.<ref name="BBC 72">{{cite news|title=Murdered bodies found in Mexico 'were migrants'|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-11090563|access-date=26 August 2010|publisher=[[BBC News]]|date=25 August 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100826035137/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-11090563|archive-date=26 August 2010|url-status=live}}</ref> The man was placed under the protection of federal authorities.<ref>{{cite news|title=Bodies of 72 suspected drug cartel victims found by Mexican marines|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2010/aug/25/mexican-police-72-bodies-dump|access-date=8 March 2012|newspaper=[[The Guardian]]|date=25 August 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130915193422/http://www.theguardian.com/world/2010/aug/25/mexican-police-72-bodies-dump|archive-date=15 September 2013|url-status=live}}</ref>

When he was asked what had happened, he mentioned that they did not have money to pay for the ransom,<ref name=nyblog>[https://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/30/opinion/30mon3.html?partner=rssnyt&emc=rss Massacre in Tamaulipas] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180330160608/https://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/30/opinion/30mon3.html?partner=rssnyt&emc=rss |date=2018-03-30 }}, ''The New York Times'', August 29, 2010</ref> and that the killers had forced them to work as hitmen for [[Los Zetas]], and that they would receive over $1000 U.S. dollars every fifteen days.<ref>{{cite news|title=Survivor: Drug gang massacred 72 migrants in northern Mexico|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/08/25/AR2010082506776.html|access-date=26 August 2010|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|date=25 August 2010|author=William Booth|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121010161653/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/08/25/AR2010082506776.html|archive-date=10 October 2012|url-status=live}}</ref> All of the immigrants resisted, and were consequently killed. He said that more than 70 corpses were in the ranch, and that some of the women were pregnant. At first, the authorities did not believe the survivor (since there had been similar occasions that have resulted in ambushes), but a commander of the military led an operative to the ranch where the bodies were allegedly located.<ref name=completa/> When they arrived to the area by helicopter and by ground, the members of Los Zetas that were guarding the area received the Mexican authorities with bullets. The shootings lasted all day, and the Mexican military had to retreat at nighttime to the [[Matamoros Municipality, Tamaulipas|municipality of Matamoros]] in order to avoid a possible ambush.<ref name=completa/> The next day, the Mexican military, with more personnel and ammunition, arrived at the ranch and discovered the 72 bodies. All of them were handcuffed and blindfolded.<ref name="BBC 72" />

The reports of the massacre were not officially known till later that night, since the ranch was deep inside the countryside and because the area was insecure. In the confrontations between the [[Mexican military]] and Los Zetas, 1 marine and 3 criminals were killed. The other drug cartel members managed to escape the scene.<ref name=rte/> Twenty-one rifles, 101 ammunition clips, four bullet-proof vests, camouflage uniforms and four vehicles were seized by officials.<ref>{{cite news|title=72 bodies found in Mexico ranch |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/72-bodies-found-in-Mexico-ranch/Article1-591920.aspx |access-date=26 August 2010 |newspaper=[[Hindustan Times]] |date=26 August 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100828150704/http://www.hindustantimes.com/72-bodies-found-in-Mexico-ranch/Article1-591920.aspx |archive-date=28 August 2010 }}</ref> The authorities also found a "replica" truck of the [[Mexican Naval Infantry]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Mejía|first=José Gerardo|title=Ligan a Zetas con muerte de 72 migrantes|url=http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/notas/704092.html|access-date=7 March 2012|newspaper=El Universal|date=25 August 2010|language=es|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100828024851/http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/notas/704092.html|archive-date=28 August 2010|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Survivor's testimony===
An 18-year-old [[Ecuadorian]], identified as "Luis", was one of the survivors of the massacre of the 72 migrants in [[San Fernando, Tamaulipas]]. According to his narrative, he went from his homeland to the country of [[Honduras]], then traveled to [[Guatemala]], where he stayed for 15 days.<ref name=narrativa/> He later traveled by speedboat to [[Mexico]], and later made it to the coastal state of [[Veracruz]], where he was transported to [[Tamaulipas]].<ref name=narrativa>{{cite news|title=Sobreviviente de la masacre afirma que los secuestrados fueron 76; dos, desaparecidos|url=http://www.jornada.unam.mx/2010/09/03/index.php?section=politica&article=015n1pol|access-date=8 March 2012|newspaper=[[La Jornada]]|date=3 September 2010|language=es|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100908002934/http://www.jornada.unam.mx/2010/09/03/index.php?section=politica&article=015n1pol|archive-date=8 September 2010|url-status=live}}</ref> On Saturday 22 August 2010 at around 10p.m., three trucks surrounded the vehicle in which he was traveling, and about eight heavily armed men got off their vehicles and took the migrants in two trucks.<ref name=narrativa/> The migrants and Luis were then taken to a house where they remained there for a day, and then they were taken to the warehouse where the massacre occurred.<ref name=narrativa/>

Luis explained how the migrants entered the warehouse where they were killed in a row, and once they were inside, they bandaged their eyes.<ref name=testimony1>{{cite news|title=Survivor shares memories of first San Fernando massacre|url=http://www.themonitor.com/articles/massacre-52865-memories-san.html|access-date=8 March 2012|newspaper=[[The Monitor (Texas)|The Monitor]]|date=18 July 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110723083633/http://www.themonitor.com/articles/massacre-52865-memories-san.html|archive-date=2011-07-23|url-status=dead}}</ref> They were forced to stand up for around 20 minutes, while Luis said that he thought "they were waiting for nightfall", and then they were placed with their backs on the wall.<ref name=testimony1/> The gunmen told them to lie face down, be quiet, and not scream, because they were going to kill them if they did.<ref name=testimony1/> "Then they started shooting", Luis said, and one of the migrants yelled that he was not scared of them.<ref name=testimony1/> He was shot too.<ref name=testimony1/> Everyone was shot one by one, "until it was my turn", Luis said. Then, they shot him, and Luis pretended to be dead.<ref name=testimony1/>

After everyone was shot, the killers left the warehouse, and Luis waited around two minutes and then took off out of the warehouse.<ref name=narrativa/> He "walked all night", and then saw a "small light far away", and made it to a house where he asked for help.<ref name=narrativa/> Luis got to the place with a lot of pain, asking for help, but the people were scared and refused to help him.<ref name=narrativa/> Consequently, Luis walked until sunrise, and at around 6 a.m. he saw the [[Mexican Naval Infantry|Mexican marines]], and asked them for help.<ref name=narrativa/>

===Government's response===
The turf war between [[Los Zetas]] and the [[Gulf Cartel]], two powerful drug trafficking organizations who operate in northeastern Mexico and in [[Tamaulipas]], were blamed by the Mexican authorities for the massacre of the 72 migrants.<ref name=zetasgolfo>{{cite news|title=El gobierno indaga al cártel del Golfo y 'Los Zetas' por 72 asesinados|url=http://expansion.mx/nacional/2010/08/25/el-gobierno-indaga-al-cartel-del-golfo-y-los-zetas-por-72-asesinados|access-date=8 March 2012|newspaper=Expansion|date=25 August 2010|language=es|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180207005100/https://expansion.mx/nacional/2010/08/25/el-gobierno-indaga-al-cartel-del-golfo-y-los-zetas-por-72-asesinados|archive-date=7 February 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Alejandro Poiré Romero]], the security spokesman of Mexico, mentioned that the massacre occurred in an area in Mexico increasingly under the influence of drug violence between Los Zetas and the Gulf Cartel, who fight for the control of the drug corridors into the [[United States]].<ref name=zetasgolfo/> In order to finance their organizations and enlarge their recruitment, the drug trafficking organizations kidnapped migrants and tortured them for ransom and recruitment at gunpoint.<ref>{{cite news|title=Gobiernos de América Latina reaccionan ante la matanza de Tamaulipas|url=http://expansion.mx/nacional/2010/08/25/gobiernos-de-america-latina-reaccionan-ante-la-matanza-de-tamaulipas|access-date=8 March 2012|newspaper=Expansion|date=25 August 2010|language=es|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180207005002/https://expansion.mx/nacional/2010/08/25/gobiernos-de-america-latina-reaccionan-ante-la-matanza-de-tamaulipas|archive-date=7 February 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> Investigators indicated that all of the migrants either bravely resisted Los Zetas, or simply were foolhardy enough to say no.<ref>{{cite news|last=Longmire|first=Sylvia|title=Los Zetas Employ Terror Tactics Near US Border|url=http://www.hstoday.us/briefings/correspondents-watch/single-article/los-zetas-employ-terror-tactics-near-us-border/14b27c3775ab3d3ba60d414468c584bf.html|access-date=8 March 2012|newspaper=Homeland Security Today|date=5 January 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120124013641/http://www.hstoday.us/briefings/correspondents-watch/single-article/los-zetas-employ-terror-tactics-near-us-border/14b27c3775ab3d3ba60d414468c584bf.html|archive-date=24 January 2012|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Aftermath==
===Investigation===
On 27 August 2010, the Mexican authorities had already identified 31 of the 72 immigrants killed.<ref name=iden31/> All of the bodies were transferred to the city of [[Reynosa]] for further investigation.<ref name=iden31>{{cite news|title=México identifica a 31 de 72 migrantes masacrados|url=http://www.eluniversal.com/2010/08/27/int_ava_mexico-identifica-a_27A4391375.shtml|access-date=7 March 2012|newspaper=El Universal|date=27 August 2010|language=es|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170907081940/http://www.eluniversal.com/2010/08/27/int_ava_mexico-identifica-a_27A4391375.shtml|archive-date=7 September 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> The top investigator of the massacre, Roberto Jaime Suárez, went missing along with another police officer in [[San Fernando, Tamaulipas]] on 25 August 2010.<ref name=missing>{{cite news|title=Mexican massacre investigator is missing|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2010/aug/27/mexico-massacre-investigator-migrants|access-date=7 March 2012|newspaper=[[The Guardian]]|date=27 August 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130915193550/http://www.theguardian.com/world/2010/aug/27/mexico-massacre-investigator-migrants|archive-date=15 September 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> The president of Mexico, [[Felipe Calderón]], said that Suárez was the top investigator of the massacre, but now the [[Attorney General of Mexico]] leads the investigation.<ref name=missing/> Soon after the attacks in Tamaulipas, the flow of migrants from Central and South America had decreased, but eight months later, the flow went back to its previous figures.<ref>{{cite news|title=México: los interrogantes que dejó la masacre de los 72 migrantes|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/mundo/noticias/2011/04/110406_mexico_migrantes_asesinato_investigacion_nc.shtml|access-date=8 March 2012|publisher=[[BBC News]]|date=6 April 2011|language=es|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110512040119/http://www.bbc.co.uk/mundo/noticias/2011/04/110406_mexico_migrantes_asesinato_investigacion_nc.shtml|archive-date=12 May 2011|url-status=live}}</ref>

The Mexican authorities concluded that those captured by [[Los Zetas]] in this incident were 77 people—72 of them who were killed, 3 that survived, and 2 that remain missing.<ref name=77personas/> The two that went missing were [[Mexican people|Mexicans]]: the bus driver and his copilot.<ref name=77personas>{{cite news|title=PGR: viajaban 77 en convoy de masacre|url=http://www.milenio.com/cdb/doc/noticias2011/a171a1241e5a048787f20d8c8e8504e2|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120630144007/http://www.milenio.com/cdb/doc/noticias2011/a171a1241e5a048787f20d8c8e8504e2|url-status=dead|archive-date=30 June 2012|access-date=8 March 2012|newspaper=[[Milenio]]|date=4 September 2010|language=es}}</ref> It has not been proven whether the missing persons had ties with Los Zetas or whether they were simply the guide of the migrants.<ref name=77personas/>

===Social movement===
In November 2010, the families of the victims gathered in [[San Fernando, Tamaulipas]] for a ceremony in honor of those killed.<ref name=homenaje/> The families urged the state government of Tamaulipas to clarify the investigation.<ref name=homenaje/> This movement was part of the caravan known as ''Madres Buscando a sus Hijos'' ("Mothers Looking for their Children"), a group of protestors demanding action from the authorities for the disappearances in Mexico.<ref name=homenaje>{{cite news|title=Rendirán homenaje a 72 migrantes asesinados en México|url=http://www.eluniversal.com/internacional/111101/rendiran-homenaje-a-72-migrantes-asesinados-en-mexico|access-date=7 March 2012|newspaper=El Universal|date=1 November 2011|language=es|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924115412/http://www.eluniversal.com/internacional/111101/rendiran-homenaje-a-72-migrantes-asesinados-en-mexico|archive-date=24 September 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> A group of 40 women activists traveled from [[Honduras]] to [[San Fernando, Tamaulipas]], [[Mexico]] in March 2012 through the same routes undocumented immigrants go through on their way to the [[United States]].<ref name=movimiento>{{cite news|title=Presenta informe Movimiento Migrante|url=http://www.jornada.unam.mx/ultimas/2012/03/14/17441973-presenta-informe-movimiento-migrante|access-date=15 March 2012|newspaper=[[La Jornada]]|date=14 March 2012}}{{Dead link|date=September 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> The movement's goal was to "bring a face" to the 72 immigrants killed, and to protest against the continuing "kidnappings, disappearances, murders, abuses, and extortions" the immigrants face when traveling.<ref>{{cite news|title=Recorren madres de víctimas la ruta del migrante|url=http://www.tabascohoy.com/noticia.php?id_nota=239093|access-date=15 March 2012|newspaper=Tabasco Hoy|date=14 March 2012|language=es|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160406152344/http://www.tabascohoy.com/noticia.php?id_nota=239093|archive-date=6 April 2016|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Website and book===
After the massacre of the 72 migrants in Tamaulipas, several "authors, journalists, analysts, activists, political scientists, and artists" brought homage to those killed with a book, a webpage, and several mentions in the official radio station of [[National Autonomous University of Mexico]].<ref name=libro>{{cite news|title=Con libro, rinden homenaje a 72 migrantes asesinados en Tamaulipas|url=http://www.proceso.com.mx/?p=287019|access-date=8 March 2012|newspaper=[[Proceso (magazine)|Proceso]]|date=2 November 2011|language=es|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111104195731/http://www.proceso.com.mx/?p=287019|archive-date=4 November 2011|url-status=live}}</ref> The project and website, known as ''72migrantes.com'', hopes to bring back the "faces" of those killed, those that the media has "categorized as corpses," but who in reality were living people at one point, "people with dreams and aspirations that were taken away."<ref name=libro/> Roses can be sent to a "virtual altar" online where the 72 migrants are remembered.<ref>{{cite news|last=Aguilar Sosa|first=Yanet|title=72migrantes.com se multiplica en otras artes|url=http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/cultura/66844.html|access-date=8 March 2012|newspaper=[[El Universal (Mexico City)|El Universal]]|date=1 November 2011|language=es|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120804064445/http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/cultura/66844.html|archive-date=4 August 2012|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Arrests===
The [[Federal Police (Mexico)|Federal Police]] captured Édgar Huerta Montiel, alias ''El Wache'', a high-ranking lieutenant of [[Los Zetas]] and the main person  responsible of the killings of the 72 immigrants, on 17 June 2011 in [[Fresnillo, Zacatecas]].<ref name=captura>{{cite news|title=Detenido responsable de matanza de 72 migrantes en México|url=http://www.eluniversal.com/2011/06/17/detenido-responsable-de-matanza-de-72-migrantes-en-mexico.shtml|access-date=7 March 2012|newspaper=[[El Universal (Mexico City)|El Universal]]|date=17 June 2011|language=es|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180204183036/http://www.eluniversal.com/2011/06/17/detenido-responsable-de-matanza-de-72-migrantes-en-mexico.shtml|archive-date=4 February 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> Huerta Montiel was an army deserter before joining [[Los Zetas]].<ref name=desertor>{{cite news|title=Mexico says leader in kidnapping, killing of 72 migrants arrested|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2011-jun-18-la-fg-mexico-arrest-20110618-story.html|access-date=7 March 2012|newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]]|date=18 June 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120305064803/http://articles.latimes.com/2011/jun/18/world/la-fg-mexico-arrest-20110618|archive-date=5 March 2012|url-status=live}}</ref> Huerta Montiel was the boss of Martín Estrada Luna, alias ''El Kilo'', one of the main perpetrators of the [[2011 San Fernando massacre|second massacre]] in San Fernando, where 193 corpses were exhumed from clandestine mass graves.<ref>{{cite news|title=Cae 'El Wache', coordinador de masacre de migrantes|url=http://www.terra.com.mx/noticias/articulo/1137137/Cae+El+Wache+coordinador+de+masacre+de+migrantes.htm|access-date=7 March 2012|publisher=[[Terra Networks]]|date=17 June 2011|language=es|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110904060658/http://www.terra.com.mx/noticias/articulo/1137137/Cae+El+Wache+coordinador+de+masacre+de+migrantes.htm|archive-date=4 September 2011|url-status=live}}</ref> After his apprehension, he confessed to having ordered the abduction of the buses in which the immigrants were traveling.<ref name=captura/> The captured lieutenant confessed to have personally killed 10 immigrants, and mentioned that he had kidnapped other buses with immigrants near [[San Fernando, Tamaulipas]] to steal their money, torture them for information and see if "they were not working for the [[Gulf Cartel]]."<ref name=captura/> He mentioned that those killed were going to be recruited by [[Samuel Flores Borrego]], a high-ranking lieutenant of the [[Gulf Cartel]], and that those who were not were released.<ref>{{cite news|title=El 'Wache': el narco que quería montar un negocio y asesinaba a migrantes|url=http://expansion.mx/nacional/2011/06/22/el-wache-el-narco-que-queria-montar-un-negocio-y-asesinaba-a-migrantes|access-date=8 March 2012|newspaper=Expansion|date=22 June 2011|language=es|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170819074542/http://expansion.mx/nacional/2011/06/22/el-wache-el-narco-que-queria-montar-un-negocio-y-asesinaba-a-migrantes|archive-date=19 August 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>

Some of the bodies were buried in various mass graves.<ref>{{cite news|title=Cae autor de muerte de los 72 migrantes|url=http://www.eldiariodecoahuila.com.mx/notas/2011/6/18/autor-muerte-migrantes-238888.asp|access-date=7 March 2012|newspaper=El Diario de Coahuila|date=18 June 2011|language=es|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303225151/http://www.eldiariodecoahuila.com.mx/notas/2011/6/18/autor-muerte-migrantes-238888.asp|archive-date=2016-03-03|url-status=dead}}</ref> Huerta Montiel then went on to say that "more than 600 bodies" are buried in clandestine mass graves near San Fernando, but the Mexican authorities never confirmed it.<ref>{{cite news|title=600 fosas en San Fernando, dice el autor de las matanzas|url=http://www.cronica.com.mx/nota.php?id_nota=586301|access-date=7 March 2012|newspaper=La Cronica|date=18 June 2011|language=es|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110619201422/http://www.cronica.com.mx/nota.php?id_nota=586301|archive-date=19 June 2011|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Cae responsable de masacre masiva en San Fernando|url=http://www.elsiglodetorreon.com.mx/noticia/635136.cae-responsable-de-masacre-masiva-en-san-fern.html|access-date=7 March 2012|newspaper=El Siglo de Torreón|date=17 June 2011|language=es|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110903212701/http://www.elsiglodetorreon.com.mx/noticia/635136.cae-responsable-de-masacre-masiva-en-san-fern.html|archive-date=3 September 2011|url-status=live}}</ref> 21 other suspects responsible for the massacre were apprehended too.<ref name=desertor/> By 21 August 2011, the Mexican authorities had detained 81 members of [[Los Zetas]] implicated in the massacre of the 72 immigrants.<ref name=nosentenciados>{{cite news|title=81 detenidos por matanza en San Fernando; ningún sentenciado|url=http://www.milenio.com/cdb/doc/noticias2011/dc54a422266fb01a3f09107d4da6c04c|access-date=7 March 2012|newspaper=[[Milenio]]|date=21 August 2011|language=es|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110923053938/http://www.milenio.com/cdb/doc/noticias2011/dc54a422266fb01a3f09107d4da6c04c|archive-date=2011-09-23|url-status=dead}}</ref> None of them, however, had been sentenced, and the authorities refused to comment on the issue.<ref name=nosentenciados/> In addition, those detained said that they killed the immigrants because [[Heriberto Lazcano]], the supreme leader of the whole Los Zetas organization, had ordered their executions.<ref name=nosentenciados/>

===Second massacre===
{{main|2011 San Fernando massacre}}
Between 6 April and 7 June 2011, the Mexican authorities found 193 people buried in clandestine mass graves in [[San Fernando, Tamaulipas]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Chapa|first=Sergio|title=59 bodies found in eight mass graves near San Fernando|url=http://www.valleycentral.com/news/story.aspx?id=602111#.T16VqmK3CFc|access-date=13 March 2012|publisher=[[KGBT-TV]]|date=6 April 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110412031325/http://www.valleycentral.com/news/story.aspx?id=602111#.T16VqmK3CFc|archive-date=12 April 2011|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=massgravez>{{cite news|last=Chapa|first=Sergio|title=San Fernando body count climbs to 193|url=http://www.valleycentral.com/news/story.aspx?id=627152#.T16WOGK3CFc|access-date=13 March 2012|publisher=[[KGBT-TV]]|date=7 June 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131023060800/http://www.valleycentral.com/news/story.aspx?id=627152#.T16WOGK3CFc|archive-date=23 October 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> Authorities investigating the massacre reported numerous hijackings of passenger buses on [[Mexican Federal Highway 101]] in San Fernando, and the kidnapped victims were later killed and buried in 47 clandestine mass graves.<ref name=massgravez/> The investigations began immediately after several suitcases and baggage were unclaimed in [[Reynosa]] and [[Matamoros, Tamaulipas]].<ref>{{cite news|title=México: Maletas abandonadas, pista para esclarecer asesinatos en Tamaulipas|url=http://www.terra.com.mx/noticias/articulo/1093197/Mexico+Maletas+abandonadas+pista+para+esclarecer+asesinatos+en+Tamaulipas.htm|access-date=9 March 2012|publisher=[[Terra Networks]]|date=19 April 2011|language=es|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306200844/http://www.terra.com.mx/noticias/articulo/1093197/Mexico+Maletas+abandonadas+pista+para+esclarecer+asesinatos+en+Tamaulipas.htm|archive-date=6 March 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> According to the testimony of a killer, kidnapped victims were forced to fight to death with the other victims.<ref name=houstonassasin>{{cite news|last=Schiller|first=Dane|title=Mexican crook: Gangsters arrange fights to death for entertainment|url=http://www.chron.com/news/nation-world/article/Mexican-crook-Gangsters-arrange-fights-to-death-1692716.php|access-date=9 March 2012|newspaper=[[The Houston Chronicle]]|date=11 June 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120306225225/http://www.chron.com/news/nation-world/article/Mexican-crook-Gangsters-arrange-fights-to-death-1692716.php|archive-date=6 March 2012|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Reactions==

===Mexico===
The president of Mexico, [[Felipe Calderón Hinojosa]], said immediately through [[Twitter]] after the incident that he sends his most profound condolences and repudiates what happened in [[Tamaulipas]].<ref name=reaccionmex/> That same night, the President issued a communiqué saying that "these incidents are a result of the war between [[Los Zetas]] and the [[Gulf Cartel]]", two rivaling drug groups in Tamaulipas.<ref name=reaccionmex/> And, Calderón mentioned that the drug cartels have been relying on [[extortion]] and kidnappings as a way of financing their institutions and improving their recruitments.<ref name=reaccionmex>{{cite news|title=Migrantes de 4 países, los 72 narcoejecutados|url=http://www.milenio.com/cdb/doc/noticias2011/a171a1241e5a048787f20d8c8e024ff2|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130128172837/http://www.milenio.com/cdb/doc/noticias2011/a171a1241e5a048787f20d8c8e024ff2|url-status=dead|archive-date=28 January 2013|access-date=7 March 2012|newspaper=[[Milenio]]|date=26 August 2010|language=es}}</ref> [[Alejandro Poiré Romero]], the former security spokesman for Mexico, claimed that Los Zetas has been kidnapping immigrants and other civilians and recruiting them by force due to the hard hits it has received from the Mexican government.<ref name=poire>{{cite news|title=72 bodies found in Mexico were immigrants, officials say|url=http://articles.cnn.com/2010-08-25/justice/mexico.dead.bodies_1_mexican-authorities-mexican-officials-mexican-navy?_s=PM:CRIME|access-date=7 March 2012|publisher=[[CNN]]|date=25 August 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120326133551/http://articles.cnn.com/2010-08-25/justice/mexico.dead.bodies_1_mexican-authorities-mexican-officials-mexican-navy?_s=PM:CRIME|archive-date=26 March 2012|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}</ref> The former Secretary of Interior, [[Francisco Blake Mora]], affirmed that the Mexican government will work with "greater intelligence agencies and with more federal agents were it is needed" to combat the criminal organizations where it is required to do so.<ref name=blake>{{cite news|title=Combatiremos sin titubeos a quienes agreden a migrantes: Blake|url=http://www.milenio.com/cdb/doc/noticias2011/a171a1241e5a048787f20d8c8e8743de|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130128171643/http://www.milenio.com/cdb/doc/noticias2011/a171a1241e5a048787f20d8c8e8743de|url-status=dead|archive-date=28 January 2013|access-date=8 March 2012|newspaper=[[Milenio]]|date=3 September 2010|language=es}}</ref> He also mentioned that the Mexican government will not hesitate to restore order and protect the migrants.<ref name=blake/>

An "[[Anti-monuments in Mexico|anti-monument]]" in the form of ''[[Antimonumento +72|+72]]'' is erected on August 22, [[2020 in Mexico|2020]] along [[Paseo de la Reforma]] in Mexico City in front of the [[Embassy of the United States, Mexico City|U.S. Embassy]] to conmemorate the massacre.<ref>{{cite web |title=Recuerdan con antimonumento la masacre de 72 migrantes en noreste de México |url=https://www.msn.com/es-mx/noticias/otras/recuerdan-con-antimonumento-la-masacre-de-72-migrantes-en-noreste-de-m%c3%a9xico/ar-BB18gBON |website=www.msn.com |publisher=EFE |access-date=August 22, 2020}}</ref>

===International reactions===
* {{Flag|Brazil}}: The [[Federal government of Brazil]] urged for clarity in the investigations, and asked the authorities to bring those responsible to justice.<ref>{{cite news|title=El crimen organizado alcanza a los migrantes a EU a su paso por México|url=http://expansion.mx/nacional/2010/08/26/el-crimen-organizado-alcanza-a-los-migrantes-a-eu-a-su-paso-por-mexico|access-date=8 March 2012|newspaper=Expansion|date=26 August 2010|language=es|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180207005132/https://expansion.mx/nacional/2010/08/26/el-crimen-organizado-alcanza-a-los-migrantes-a-eu-a-su-paso-por-mexico|archive-date=7 February 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> Brazil also sent three policemen to help the Mexican authorities identify the bodies of the four Brazilians killed in the massacre.<ref name=tresbrazil>{{cite news|title=Brasil espera un mes después los cuerpos de la masacre de Tamaulipas|url=http://expansion.mx/nacional/2010/09/20/brasil-aun-espera-los-cuerpos-de-la-masacre-de-tamaulipas-un-mes-despues|access-date=8 March 2012|newspaper=Expansion|date=20 September 2010|language=es|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180207005209/https://expansion.mx/nacional/2010/09/20/brasil-aun-espera-los-cuerpos-de-la-masacre-de-tamaulipas-un-mes-despues|archive-date=7 February 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>
* {{Flag|Ecuador}}: The government of Ecuador asked for a "rigorous investigation" for the six Ecuadorians killed in the massacre.<ref name=reaccionecua/> They also condemned the attacks and promised to provide "maximum protection" to migrants, urging to castigate the criminal groups who abuse and control human smuggling rings.<ref name=reaccionecua>{{cite news|title=Ecuador pide a México investigación rigurosa de la masacre|url=http://www.prensalibre.com/internacional/Ecuador-Mexico-investigacion-rigurosa-masacre_0_327567510.html|access-date=8 March 2012|newspaper=Prensa Libre|date=1 September 2010|language=es|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130131202928/http://www.prensalibre.com/internacional/Ecuador-Mexico-investigacion-rigurosa-masacre_0_327567510.html|archive-date=31 January 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> In addition, they criticized the media for publishing the images of the survivor of the massacre, an Ecuadorian.<ref name=reaccionecua/> [[Rafael Correa]], the president of Ecuador, said that the massacre is indescribable.<ref>{{cite news|title=Hay un segundo sobreviviente de masacre: Correa|url=http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/notas/705612.html|access-date=8 March 2012|newspaper=El Universal|date=1 September 2010|language=es|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110925051836/http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/notas/705612.html|archive-date=25 September 2011|url-status=live}}</ref>
* {{Flag|El Salvador}}: The president of El Salvador, [[Mauricio Funes]], condemned the massacre in Tamaulipas and the death of the 13 Salvadorans.<ref name=reaccionelsal/> He asked the Mexican government to work together with El Salvador to fight organized crime, and also sent his condolences to the Mexican people and to those in El Salvador.<ref name=reaccionelsal>{{cite news|title=Presidente Funes condena matanza de Tamaulipas y propone reunión con Presidente de México|url=http://www.diariocolatino.com/es/20100830/nacionales/83735/|access-date=8 March 2012|newspaper=Diario Co Latino|date=30 August 2010|language=es|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100903161346/http://www.diariocolatino.com/es/20100830/nacionales/83735/|archive-date=2010-09-03|url-status=dead}}</ref> Funes believes that this massacre in Tamaulipas should "bring all of the world leaders" together to fight organized crime, because every country has to fight "the drug trafficking organizations, crime, arms trafficking, money laundering, and human smuggling" in unison.<ref name=reaccionelsal/>
* {{Flag|Guatemala}}: The government of Guatemala urged the Mexican government to find those responsible of the massacre of the 13 Guatemalans, who had not been identified.<ref name=reacciongua/> Soon after the killings, the Guatemalan authorities began an investigation on the expedients of 51 possible migrants who might be the ones killed.<ref name=reacciongua>{{cite news|title=Guatemala exige a México esclarecer matanza de 72 migrantes en Tamaulipas|url=http://expansion.mx/nacional/2011/08/23/guatemala-exige-a-mexico-esclarecer-matanza-de-72-migrantes-en-tamaulipas|access-date=8 March 2012|newspaper=Expansion|date=23 August 2010|language=es|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180207005308/https://expansion.mx/nacional/2011/08/23/guatemala-exige-a-mexico-esclarecer-matanza-de-72-migrantes-en-tamaulipas|archive-date=7 February 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> The president of that time, [[Álvaro Colom]], said that this massacre "sets a new challenge and threat for immigration; drug trafficking had never been involved in human smuggling as they do now."<ref name=alvarocolom>{{cite news|title=Álvaro Colom dice narcotráfico nunca se involucró tanto en proceso migratorio|url=http://www.abc.es/agencias/noticia.asp?noticia=498579|access-date=8 March 2012|newspaper=ABC Noticias|date=19 August 2010|language=es|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140322045507/http://www.abc.es/agencias/noticia.asp?noticia=498579|archive-date=22 March 2014|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}</ref> The "heroism of the migrants," he said, "now have to overcome the threats and aggressions of the organized crime groups."<ref name=alvarocolom/> Colom asked for a profound investigation by the Mexican authorities.<ref name=alvarocolom/>
* {{Flag|Honduras|1949}}: The government of Honduras condemned the "abomination" in Tamaulipas, and urged the Mexican government uncover the incidents in the massacre and carry out the investigation "in the clearest way possible."<ref name=honduras>{{cite news|title=Honduras pide a México esclarecer matanza de inmigrantes|url=http://www.informador.com.mx/mexico/2010/228789/6/honduras-pide-a-mexico-esclarecer-matanza-de-inmigrantes.htm|access-date=8 March 2012|newspaper=Informador|date=26 August 2010|language=es|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303221311/http://www.informador.com.mx/mexico/2010/228789/6/honduras-pide-a-mexico-esclarecer-matanza-de-inmigrantes.htm|archive-date=3 March 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> The president, [[Porfirio Lobo]], asked the Mexican authorities to "stop the abuses, extorsions, and rapes that the migrants are subject to on their way to the United States."<ref name=honduras/> Lobo promised to help the families get the bodies of their loved ones after the proper investigations have concluded.<ref name=honduras/>
* {{Flag|Venezuela}}: The Chancellor of Venezuela, [[Nicolás Maduro]], along with [[Hugo Chávez]], expressed their repudiation for the massacre in Tamaulipas and sent his condolences to the families of those affected. The chancellor declared that the Venezuelan government would work with the Mexican authorities to find those responsible.<ref name=venezuela/> Maduro asked for the governments of Latin America and the world to join powers to stop the criminal organizations that are trying to subjugate society, and mentioned that the massacre in Tamaulipas was "one of the most horrifying incidents" in contemporary time.<ref name=venezuela>{{cite web|title=Venezuela repudia asesinato de inmigrantes en Tamaulipas|url=http://www.mre.gov.ve/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=4867:venezuela-repudia-asesinato-de-inmigrantes-en-tamaulipas&catid=189:reunion-de-trabajo-venezuela-mexico-&Itemid=327|archive-url=https://archive.today/20121224203628/http://www.mre.gov.ve/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=4867:venezuela-repudia-asesinato-de-inmigrantes-en-tamaulipas&catid=189:reunion-de-trabajo-venezuela-mexico-&Itemid=327|url-status=dead|archive-date=24 December 2012|publisher=[[Government of Venezuela|Gobierno de Venezuela]]|access-date=8 March 2012|language=es}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[2011 Durango massacres]]
* [[2011 San Fernando massacre]]
* [[2011–2012 in the Mexican Drug War]]
* [[Coahuila mass graves]]
* [[List of massacres in Mexico]]
* [[Nuevo León mass graves]]

==References==
{{reflist|30em}}

==External links==
* [https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory?id=13323928#.T1hMpnK3CFc Mexico Finds 72 Bodies in Hunt for Bus Passengers] – [[ABC News (United States)|ABC News]]
* [https://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/26/world/americas/26mexico.html Victims of Massacre in Mexico Said to Be Migrants] – ''[[The New York Times]]''
* [http://www.insightcrime.org/investigations/unravelling-mysteries-of-mexicos-san-fernando-massacre Unravelling Mysteries of Mexico's San Fernando Massacre] – [[InSight Crime]]
* {{In lang|es|cap=yes}} [https://web.archive.org/web/20120619101312/http://www.blogdelnarco.com/2010/08/encuentran-72-muertos-en-san-fernando-tamps/ Encuentran 72 muertos en San Fernando Tamaulipas] – ''[[Blog del Narco]]''
* {{In lang|es|cap=yes}} [http://expansion.mx/nacional/2010/08/25/la-marina-encuentra-una-fosa-con-72-cuerpos-en-un-rancho-en-tamaulipas La Marina encuentra una fosa con 72 cuerpos en un rancho en Tamaulipas] – ''[[CNN en Español|Expansion]]''

{{Mexican Drug War}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:San Fernando massacre, 2010}}
[[Category:2010 murders in Mexico]]
[[Category:2010 mass shootings in North America]]
[[Category:Mass shootings in Mexico]]
[[Category:21st century in Tamaulipas]]
[[Category:Massacres of the Mexican drug war]]
[[Category:August 2010 crimes in North America]]
[[Category:August 2010 events in Mexico]]
[[Category:Crime in Tamaulipas]]
[[Category:Illegal immigration to North America]]
[[Category:Mass kidnappings in the 2010s]]
[[Category:Kidnappings in Mexico]]
[[Category:Los Zetas]]
[[Category:Massacres in 2010]]
[[Category:Violent non-state actor incidents in Mexico]]