matamoros, mexico crime
Alexandre Meneghini/AP Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A lock ( Lock A locked padlock ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. Celaya is a city in Mexico that has been a fairly popular tourist destination in Mexico for quite some time. Combating Drugs and Crime Countering Terrorism COVID-19 Response and Recovery Cyber Issues Disarming Disinformation Matamoros 01 May 19, 2021. For you, for yours and for everyone, do it! Mexico Takes Out Cartel Heads, But Crime Continues To Climb. Read millions of eBooks and audiobooks on the web, iPad, iPhone and Android. Affluent residents of Matamoros have another fear: kidnapping. A travel insurance policy is a must when visiting a foreign country or city. Border Wait Times. You should have a valid passport and a tourist permit. No visas are required for tourist proposals to enter Mexico for many countries of Europe, US citizens, etc. In northern Mexico, we visited Matamoros and Reynosa, both of which are under unofficial control of the Gulf Cartel. They are not doing their straight business that is the [drug] trafficking. A car chase and shootout between gang members and law enforcement near Mexico's northern border left three members of the powerful Gulf Cartel dead along with Located on the southern bank of the Rio Grande, Matamoras is in the Mexican state of Tamaulipas and has long been associated with its US neighbor for international trade, evidenced by not one, but four international bridges which run between them. Both were killed for saying too much. Matamoros is not the safest place for travelers, but if you use common sense and take precautions, you can avoid most of the troubles. Last month, the editor of the leading daily, El Maana, was abducted and beaten because his newspaper published a front-page account of cartel clashes. Alma Ruth, founder and director of the faith-based nonprofit Practice Mercy Foundation, says that in the Mexican town of Reynosa alone, there are about 300 Russians waiting to cross the Rio Grande into South Texas. Based on FBI crime data, Brownsville is not one of the safest communities in America. monterrey n.l. A year after that movie, Constanzo's crew was snatching all kinds of people from the streets and fields around Mexico and subjecting these strangers to the most horrific torture. The Mexican city of Matamoros has a well-deserved reputation as being one of the most dangerous cities in the world. Bishop Eugenio Lira Rugarca celebrates Mass on June 23 | Official Twitter, Aid to the Church in Need greatly concerned about Nicaraguan bishop sentenced to prison. Following last nights clashes between Mexican authorities and criminal armed groups, U.S. consulate officials in Matamoros will restrict their movements to home, work, and U.S. If an American Citizen plans to marry in Mexico, he/she must follow all the applicable rules and laws of Mexico. You should buy bottled water or boil tap water. As part of this free service you may receive occasional offers from us at EWTN News and EWTN. Click here to experience with sound. The border at Los Indios to Matamoras is open between the hours 6 am, and 12 am every day, and there are four lanes available for vehicles. Traffic in Matamoros. And they have reason to be. The Army high command headed a battalion that has faced one of the bloodiest drug cartels in Mexico. Gulf Cartel Factions Scorpions and Cyclones. 2010-11-06T22:11:00+00:00; Duration: 06:30 Kevin Sieff. It's a maddening reality. Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. Tap water is not drinkable in Matamoros. "What I see right now is that these guys are just looking for money. Travelers should avoid all travel to Mexico. Copyright 2009-2023 Numbeo. WebThis Caldwell County North Carolina Most Wanted List posts the top 50-100 fugitive criminals on the run. Northeast Cartel. / CBS/AP. location is good, Anything is close in this place. Then, dazzled by money and power, we desperately search for them, believing that there is nothing else, risking ones own life and passing over the life, dignity and rights of others, the bishop said. Ruth said that in the Mexican town of Reynosa, for example, about 300 Russians are waiting to cross the Rio Grande River into South Texas. The incident began on Friday evening Matamoros periodically erupts in fearsome gun battles between militias of coked-up narcos in muscle trucks or between the narcos and ski-masked soldiers. Bring only the amount of cash you need, use reputable ATMs in safe locations. Magic, always part of the occult underground in North America, has experienced a resurgence since the 1960s. The Zetas cartel has since splintered, and the deaths in Miguel Aleman appear to have resulted from a dispute between the Gulf cartel and one of the Zetas factions, the Northeast cartel. Its not safe to walk to the city after dark. The risk of getting sick while vacationing in Cancun can be avoided if you follow these precautionary measures: Wash Your Hands Often. To be more precise, once an admission is determined to be fair and reasonable, the default position is that the visitor is granted a six month time period to stay. Alma Ruth, founder, and director of Practice Mercy Foundation said that an estimated 5,000 Russians is waiting south of the Mexican border for their chance to cross over into the United States and claim asylum. "Today, people don't come from the interior to buy cars because they're afraid," says Carlos Alberto, owner of a grease-stained garage. Carlos Alberto says life has not stopped. Copyright 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. The US Embassy says results for PCR and antigen tests are reliably available within 72 hours in Mexico. It has slowly grown the amount of Russians that are coming to Mexico to request asylum due to the situation in the region, Ruth said Within a six-year span, the cult was [] And so I don't go out.". Los dos principales crteles de la regin son el del Golfo, que tiene su feudo en Matamoros, y el Crtel del Golfo (escisin de los antiguos Zetas) en Nuevo Laredo, 330 The couple fled to Mexico with their three young children. We won't rent or sell your information, and you can unsubscribe at any time. After the arrest of Marcos Arturo Beltrn Leyva ('El Barbas'), the criminal group fragmented into 10 factions. He draws near to us., The Lord, he continued, consoles us through his Word, the Liturgy, the Eucharist, prayer and people, making us see that with Him life does not end., The bishop of Matamoros pointed out that not everything ends on this earth. "In past years, you just see guys in white trucks. As of November 12, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention listed Mexicos travel advisory rating at level 3 high risk. shelter in place between 7:00 P.M. and 6:00 A.M. Ports of Entry during daylight hours andshelter in place between 7:00 P.M. and 6:00 A.M. Matamoros, officially known asHeroica Matamoros, is a city in the northeastern MexicanstateofTamaulipas, and the municipal seat of thehomonymous municipality. Los dos principales crteles de la regin son el del Golfo, que tiene su feudo en Matamoros, y el Crtel del Golfo (escisin de los antiguos Zetas) en Nuevo Laredo, 330 kilmetros ms al oeste. It is situated on the southern bank of the Rio Grande (Ro Bravo del Victoria Dittmar is a writer with InSight Crime, a foundation dedicated to the study of organized crime. 2116. Go out, earn a living, but risk your life. Last year he witnessed a violent crime, during which he was shot. See Mexico Travel Advisory for details. 9 Celaya. 2019 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. The color of the circles corresponds to the homicide rate and the size to the number of homicide reports (which may refer to more than one victim). We need more contributors for Matamoros to increase our data quality. Rojos. Who Is Smuggling Immigrant Children Across The Border? Life Inside One Of Mexicos Deadliest Towns - YouTube 0:00 / 13:21 Sign in to confirm your age This video may be inappropriate for some users. Cancun is a safe town to visit locals are friendly and crime rates are very low compared to other cities in Mexico. State police officers patrol a highway between Ciudad Victoria and Matamoros, in northeast Mexico, in 2011. These data are based on perceptions of visitors of this website in the past 3 years. MEXICO CITY (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 04th March, 2023) Authorities in Mexico's northeastern state of Tamaulipas have advised residents of Matamoros to shelter inside amid shootings in the city, which have resulted in injuries and casualties. Reynosa has lost several of her unique children! Supercharge your procurement process, with industry leading expertise in sourcing of network backbone, colocation, and packet/optical network infrastructure. Matamoros is a relatively safe city to travel to. Official websites use .gov A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. In Ruth said that in the Mexican town of Reynosa, for example, about 300 Russians are waiting to cross the Rio Grande River into South Texas. Our officers vigilance and attention to detail led to 292. "Most of the mechanics here in Matamoros depended on selling used cars. Life that Jesus has given us with the power of love; loving to the point of becoming one of us and giving his life., Thanks to him, our deceased, who have reached the goal, the house of the Father, one day they will be clothed again with their skin and in the flesh they will see God. But today they can turn our sadness into joy, and our sorrow into hope. Dont remain in the darkness of death! mexico homeless family need help bath, clothing, shoes, e.t.c. Reporting on cartel violence on social media can be dangerous, too. In a country where more than 90% of crimes go unsolved, searching for truth and justice can make you a target. The sudden rise in kidnappings caught the attention of local The Mexican website Animal Poltico reported June 23 there were new shootings and victims in Reynosa since the June 19 rampage. Combating Drugs and Crime Countering Terrorism COVID-19 Response and Recovery Cyber Issues Disarming Disinformation Matamoros 01 May 19, 2021. Embedded in the history of violence in Mexico, are the two names of the Gulf Cartel and Los Zetas, criminal groups continuously locked in an insane territorial struggle, Mass Shooting Victims Family Requests Visa Brownsville Police Search for Clues in Missing Persons Case WebRead Contexts - From Matamoros to Reynosa: Migrant Camps on the U.S.-Mexico Border by with a free trial. Eat Wisely. How Safe Is Matamoros Really? What time does the Matamoros border open? Travel fraud and extortion of money continue to Los dos principales crteles de la regin son el del Golfo, que tiene su feudo en Matamoros, y el Crtel del Golfo (escisin de los antiguos Zetas) en Nuevo Laredo, 330 kilmetros ms al oeste. Sinaloa Cartel - Ismael Zambada Garca "El Mayo Zambada". MATAMOROS, Mexico Over the summer, as migrants rushed into the Mexican border city of Matamoros, a local pastor lost his patience. Although whats been done is done, its always possible to improve and make restitution in some way for the harm that has been done, he said. He was kept in a squalid, evil-smelling room with no toilet and bloodstained walls. Infrastructure permitting, the processing goals CBP has set for travelers are: SENTRI/NEXUS Lanes: 15 minutes; Ready Lanes: 50% of general traffic lane wait times. These factions operate in 10 states across Mexico. They took him out of the van and hit him in the head so hard that he passed out. Tags. Rise to life! Bishop Lira urged. U.S. Consulate General Matamoros Following last nights clashes between Mexican authorities and criminal armed groups, U.S. consulate officials in Matamoros will An official website of the United States government. Please refer to the section BELOW (and NOT ABOVE ) this 184058723355 The newest border crossing in the area. After the Matamoros migrant camp in Mexico was bulldozed last March, a new camp formed in the more dangerous, crime cartel stronghold of Reynosa. Web> Mexico vs United States > Matamoros vs Crime Comparison Between Matamoros and Chicago, IL . If the value is 0, it means it is perceived as very low, and if the value is 100, it means it is perceived as very high. It is a short, easy route without WebMexico captures the notorious drug lord behind the kidnapping and murder of a DEA agent Chris Kelponis / Pool via Getty Images News Mexico agrees to provide $1.5 billion to help The Gulf Cartel and the Zetas, the two criminal groups, most associated with the state, have dissolved into a NSFW. Withdraw money only in ATM with banks with cameras. Some municipios report their homicide counts as zero when in fact it should be a missing value and not all municipios have started reporting. o As a G-20 country with many of its 32 states enjoying low unemployment and crime, Mexicos commitment should be taken in good faith by the United States and other stakeholders. Sara Mara Aldrete Villareal was born in 1964 and grew up middle class in Matamoros, Tamaulipas, Mexico, near the border with the United States. Ismael El Mayo Zambada Spouse(s) Rosario Niebla Cardoza Children 7 Reward amount Mexico: 300 million Mexican pesos; USA: US$15 million. Also, only withdraw money from ATMs at banks with cameras to avoid skimming your card. He said details would be released once all the information was gathered. Is It Safe To Travel To Matamoros Mexico 2015, Is It Safe To Travel To Mexico City Mexico, Question: Is Cozmel Mexico Safe For Travel, Quick Answer: Is Guadalajara Mexico Safe To Travel, Question: Is Guanajuato Mexico Safe To Travel. And it's consistent with the rash of kidnappings that has plagued this region in recent years. The best time of year to visit Matamoros for hot-weather activities is frommid-Maytoearly July. "Today the situation is very tense. Therefore, if you are attacked, give the robbers what they ask of you to save your life. There is a risk of river flooding in Matamoros because of the coastline and rivers here. Brownsville, Texas (KVEO)The city of Brownsville was ranked as one of the top 25 safest cities in the United States by SmartAsset.com. 2022. to. 188.13 miles. Update Travel Vaccinations. Webthrough Mexicoenhancing the safety of all individuals, including MPP-amenable aliens. Expand. Webthrough Mexicoenhancing the safety of all individuals, including MPP-amenable aliens. "I lived through part of the civil war in my native country, El Salvador. WebCurrent Narco Bosses 2023. Serious risk crime in Matamoros a murder, robbery, carjacking, extortion, and sexual assault are quite common. Thats 14.75% higher than the national rate of 366.7 per 100,000 people. In February, the U.S. State Department warned consulate personnel to stay indoors to avoid the daytime convoys of cartel gunmen, some armed with grenade launchers. October 25, 2021. WebCrime 0 120 50.74 Crime rates in Matamoros, Mexico Safety in Matamoros, Mexico Contributors: 12 Last update: January 2023 These data are based on perceptions of visitors WebAnswer: Is not safe guarantee to any place you go. WebMatamoros Mexico; Crime Index: moderate (51) moderate (54) Safety Index: low (48) low (45) Level of crime in Matamoros: moderate (57) high (61) Matamoros - Crime increase You can change. We sent VICE News correspondent Gianna Toboni to investigate the roots of this spiraling murder rate and meet the people who refuse to be silenced.Subscribe to VICE News here: http://bit.ly/Subscribe-to-VICE-News\r\rCheck out VICE News for more: http://vicenews.com\r\rFollow VICE News here:\rFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/vicenews\rTwitter: https://twitter.com/vicenews\rTumblr: http://vicenews.tumblr.com/\rInstagram: http://instagram.com/vicenews\rMore videos from the VICE network: https://www.fb.com/vicevideo The U.S. Department of State Overseas Security Advisory Council issued a Crime and Safety Report for Matamoros in February 2017 that rated it a "Critical Threat for Crime". Mexico's drug and turf wars have descended on the once tourist friendly border town of Matamoros. When you subscribe to the CNA UPDATE, we'll send you a daily email with links to the news you need and, occasionally, breaking news. Located on the right bank of the Rio Grande, near the mouth of the river, on the border with the United States. They see that they can get money from the people.". Mexico crime rate & statistics for 2017 was 25.71, a 29.11% increase from 2016. WebBalacera en Matamoros, 5 de Noviembre , muere jefe del Crtel del Golfo, Tony Tormenta. Many, if not most should be considered armed and dangerous. WebMatamoros, Mexico Download the Monograph for the New Consulate Campus [11 MB] Public Releases Archived Groundbreaking Media Note Archived Design Architect Award Media Note Archived Design-Build Award Media Note The new U.S. Consulate General is situated on a 7.6-acre site in Matamoros. DEA Special Agent Sammy Parks said Playa Bagdad is now a center for loading and unloading drugs bound for the U.S. market. Unfortunately, the likelihood of being held hostage for a ransom demand is extremely high. My one piece of advice is that Mexico is so much more than Cancun and beaches. Yet, people keep doing it in Matamoros because it's the only news they can use. He untied his ankles and walked for hours until he heard traffic and spotted a farmhouse. Bishop Lira lamented in his June 23 homily, "How much harm, how much pain and how much destruction we cause when, closed up within ourselves, we allow ourselves to be deceived by sin and make false generalizations. APPEAL FROM THE DISTRICT COURT OF SAN JUAN COUNTY Daylene A. Marsh, District Court Judge Ral Torrez, Attorney General Maris Veidemanis, Assistant Attorney General Santa Fe, NM for Appellee Bennett J. Baur, Chief Public Defender Nina In addition, public and tourist buses are being attacked by armed criminal groups. Many are presumed dead, but without bodies, their families are left without answers, and sometimes with the grim burden of trying to find their missing loved ones' remains on their own. WebMexico Crime Map - El Crimen Map of homicides in Mexico from February 2022 to January 2023 0 432.9 The color of the circles corresponds to the homicide rate and the size to the number of homicide reports (which may refer to more than one victim). 55. Crime News Polygamist Cult Leader Murders Wife, 4-Year-Old Boy Related Show. Throughout this city of a half-million, people are tense and wary. Most places close by 10 p.m., and after that, the military can stop you and searches after that time are common. "My daughters monitor Facebook, and they'll call me and say, 'Papi, don't go near 18th and 20th streets, there's a shootout there!' (Rebecca Blackwell/AP) A 13-year-old American boy was killed Privacy Policy. You can interactively filter the municipios shown on the map based on their homicide rates by using the histogram widget in the top right corner of the map. Ports of Entry during daylight hours and. Old School Zetas. Matamoros is the second-largest city in the state of Tamaulipas. The images show the murderers lifting the bodies of two victims and crawling to the rear of a truck like a trash can.This all happened in broad daylight as several drivers tried to avoid the View of the Rio Grande in Matamoros, Tamaulipas state, Mexico. Juan is a portly, 29-year-old Mexican-American who used to own a jewelry shop in Matamoros. Should GOM identify any requests for additional assistance, the United Women are not advised to travel to this city alone; it can be hazardous. For so many in Mexico, this has been the pandemics impossible choice. He says Matamoros has changed, and the narco bosses are different now. City Express Matamoros is a 4-star property located in Matamoros. The harder the Mexican government fights the cartels, it seems, the more misery it creates for the people. State police officers patrol a highway between Ciudad Victoria and Matamoros, in northeast Mexico, in 2011. Security Alert U.S. Consulate General Matamoros, Mexico (June 25, 2021) Location: Reynosa, Tamaulipas. Instead, immediately call the Caldwell County Sheriff's Department at 828-759-1510. In the midst of the crime wave hitting Reynosa, Mexico, the bishop of Matamoros has cried out no more violence and urged crime gang members to convert. How long can you stay in the US with a passport? Expert architecture and design solutions for private carriers, next-generation metro and long-haul optical networks, ultra low-latency networks, and Internet backbones. 292. FOR SALE! He has since fled the city. Today, the Harry Potter franchise is celebrated for its success globally, accompanied by a host of awards and accolades. Tags. Mexican scientists helping to rid Galapagos of invasive plants Federal police continue crackdown with drug dealers. The gunfight began with the pursuit of two suspicious vehicles including an armored vehicle lacking license plates driving along the Cavazos Lerma Boulevard in Matamoros, the army said in a statement. The State Department recommends U.S. citizens do not travel to the State of Tamaulipas due to crime and kidnapping. On the eighth day, his captors pulled a sack over his head, put him back in the van, and drove for two hours. Terrorist attacks in the city are often associated with internal political showdowns. WebDoes Matamoros Mexico have mountains? The U.S. has been limiting nonessential land travel, which includes individuals traveling on tourist visas, since March 2020 due to the COVID pandemic. The BLO operates through their local faction Los Rojos, which also has presence in Mexico City, State of Mexico, Guerrero, and Morelos. They don't publish what's really happening," says a clothes vendor named Hugo. 2023. The crime rate in the border areas of Mexico is quite high and Matamoros is no exception. "The population of Matamoros is informed that read full story The U.S. State Department Based on FBI crime data, Brownsville is not one of the safest communities in America. Unique, because each and every one of us is unique and unrepeatable," he stressed. The markets are full of junk and trash. It is also tedious to be careful on the roads of the city, especially if you are traveling in your own car. Featuring a fitness center, the 4-star hotel has air-conditioned rooms with free WiFi, each with a private bathroom. The U.S. side of the river is guarded by federal agents, state troopers and the National Guard, while Mexico has flooded Matamoros and Reynosa with military troops. Matamoros is generally safe from high-risk crimes such as murder, robbery, car theft, extortion, and sexual assault. There is something else! But local TV, radio and newspapers do not report them, because of strict censorship by the Gulf Cartel. There is an Uber taxi in the city; you can call a taxi from your smartphone application. One day two years ago when he was closing up shop, two thugs armed with guns showed up and told him to climb into their van. Violence in Mexico reached unprecedented levels in 2019 revealing the deadly power of the cartels, and the weakness of the state. The sandy, lagoon-dotted coastal zone is sparsely inhabited. WebA-1-CA-38359 STATE OF NEW MEXICO, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. PAUL JOHN MATAMOROS, Defendant-Appellant. We did not With Jesus, as a family and as a society, let us approach those who, seduced by crime and violence, are in the deadly coffin of sin, and let us restore them to a new life, he exhorted the faithful. area, 489,193; (2020) 510,739; metro. Four people allegedly connected to the crime gang also died after a confrontation with local authorities. Specially on the border between Mexico and the USA as Matamoros. Web4 de marzo 2019. Mexico's drug and turf wars have descended on the once Like any significant city in Matamoros, pickpockets do happen. Una de ellas es Los Ciclones, cuya base de operacin est en Matamoros, por el cruce fronterizo con Brownsville, Texas. U.S. land borders with Mexico and Canada will remain closed to nonessential travel through Oct. 21, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security confirmed Tuesday. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. They like have everything organized. MATAMOROS, Mexico The smuggler led a single-file line of migrants toward the border, instructing them to hold hands. Matamoros. Pop. Omissions? Deception of That compares to a 1 in 238.7 chance statewide. WebCity Express Matamoros. Deadly Cults All rates shown on the map are annualized, but some municipios don't provide data for the whole six months, if you hover over the circle a tooltip will show the number of crime/months the municipio reported. Public transport is not well-developed. At least 10 dead after winter storm slams South, Midwest, The Saturday Six: Dental device controversy, scientist's bug find and more, Indonesia fuel depot fire kills 18; more than a dozen missing, Biden had cancerous skin lesion removed last month, doctor says, Duo of 81-year-old women plan to see the world in 80 days, Tom Sizemore, actor known for "Saving Private Ryan" and "Heat," dies at 61, Alex Murdaugh sentenced to life in prison for murders of wife and son. Key Information for Travelers to Mexico Travel increases your chances of getting and spreading COVID-19. By. Mexican brokers used to tow broken cars across the bridge from Texas to Matamoros, mechanics would fix them, and buyers from elsewhere in Mexico would travel to the border to get a good deal on a used car. A chase and gunfight ensued during which the cartel members used spike In recent years, the city has seen a surge in drug-related violence, as well as a rise in kidnappings and murders. Caution Exploring Outdoors. The central and southern portions of Tamaulipas are mountainous, but there are extensive, fertile plains in the north. Ismael Zambada Garca (born 1 January 1948) is a Mexican suspected drug lord and leader of the Sinaloa Cartel, an international crime syndicate based in Sinaloa, Mexico. WebDue to ongoing conflict between Gulf Cartels, it is one of the most dangerous places in Mexico with thousands killed annually. To stay up to date on whats happening, tourists are encouraged to browse the dedicated OSAC Mexico web page to find their own policy reports, consular messages, and contact information. Contact the U.S. Consulate or Embassy if you need assistance. Especially on public transport during rush hour. Like many Mexican families who can afford it, Juan and his family fled Matamoros for Brownsville. This article was most recently revised and updated by, https://www.britannica.com/place/Matamoros-Tamaulipas-state-Mexico. The Cyclones are the Matamoros-based faction of the CDG. Three others, including alleged cult godmother Sara Maria Aldrete Villarreal, were jailed in June after a shoot-out with police in Mexico City. The symbol for the Mexican Peso is $, so you can see MX$ or MN$ in banks and exchange points. WebPollution in Matamoros. Alma Ruth, founder, and director of Practice Mercy Foundation said that an estimated 5,000 Russians is waiting south of the Mexican border for their chance to cross over into the United States and claim asylum. On the highway, skirmishes occur from time to time between criminals and the Mexican police. 55. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. Your use of this service is subject to our, Worries being subject to a physical attack because of your skin color, ethnic origin, gender or religion, Problem property crimes such as vandalism and theft, Problem violent crimes such as assault and armed robbery. for the full text of our Mexico Travel Advisory. Civilians, journalists and politicians have been intimidated, killed or have disappeared. Index Matamoros Reynosa; Crime Index: 50.74: 66.88: Safety Scale: 49.26: Four years ago, a blogger in Nuevo Laredo was beheaded, and last October, a Twitter user in Reynosa was murdered. Check official sources on these risks before the trip. "The population of Matamoros is informed that during the last hour there have been two armed incidents between unidentified civilians, we are lamenting the loss of human life and injuries," the Tamaulipas Secretariat of Public Security said in a Friday statement.