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The 2016 Matamoros shootout occurred in late 2016 during the Mexican Drug War.

Having been victorious against the Beltran Leyva Cartel, the Jalisco New Generation Cartel looked for new opportunities to expand its influence. Upon taking over San Luis Potosi, they became neighbors with the Gulf Cartel, whose base of Tamaulipas was vital to their ability to attack other territories. Hoping to pre-emptively destroy the Gulf's power, the CJNG launched an assault on Tamaulipas, sending 220 gunmen from San Luis Potosi to attack the major port city of Matamoros. There, they engaged in a massive gun battle with 180 Gulf gunmen for control of the plaza, resulting in the deaths of all 180 Gulf gunmen and 50 Jalisco gunmen. Jalisco's takeover of Matamoros was short-lived, as, in early 2017, the Gulf would strike back and recapture its base.

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