Mexican soldiers clash with gunmen amid protests in Reynosa



/ Hora Cero
Photo: 1 of 3 Tuesday, February 17, 2009 at 1:54 p.m.


Mexican media outlets are reporting gunfire bewteen soldiers and armed men in Reynosa.

The Hora Cero newspaper is reporting that a brief gun battle took place outside a grocery store on the highway to Monterrey late Tuesday morning.

No injuries are reported but the newspaper reported that the gun battle took place amid widespread protests have crippled the city.

Thousands of protestors have taken to the streets of Reynosa blocking traffic to the Hidalgo-Reynosa International Bridge.

The newspaper reported that another group of protestors set up a blockade on a highway next to the Reynosa International Airport.

The protestors are reportedly demonstrating against the Mexican military's built-up presence in the region.

Hundreds of Tamaulipas residents are complaining about abuse at the hands of heavy-handed soldiers.

Protestors have shut down international bridges several times over the past few weeks.

It is not clear if the gunfire and the protests are related.

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