HikeArizona.COM

A U.S. citizen and a Canadian citizen were robbed and attacked by armed suspected Mexican cartel terrorists, in the Jacumba Wilderness.

When the hikers refused to follow the armed subjects’ commands, the assailants fired a volley of shots toward the hikers, striking one victim in the leg.

The shooting victim was airlifted to a San Diego hospital.

In the Valley of the Moon, Blue Angels Peak area...

Full details:
https://www.cbp.gov/newsroom/local-medi ... ico-border

@RedRoxx44
The whole "cartel terrorists" suspicion raises all kinds of doubts. First of all, because as others have said, the cartels usually try to avoid hikers as much as possible. Bad for business. But secondly, who calls them "terrorists"? I didn't think cartels were really known for their ideology.

ShatteredArm wrote:who calls them "terrorists"?

at the risk of starting the inevitable death-spiral down an overtly political hole...

Someone has to appease the US’ taste for chemicals. Pretty silly of us to lump suppliers in with legitimate terrorists but I digress.

unbelievable

@ShatteredArm
The designation gives the US more cover to go after them if so desired. Also playing politics with Mexico. The cartels have more money than some countries and a network in the US that is well established. I would call them a ruthless business empire. Cartel members have to start somewhere. Like organizations anywhere you'll have a few loose cannons. I wouldn't be surprised that those two are "unalived" as they like to say, for messing up a long established route. They'll be extra surveillance there for a while, the cartels will use another route, then it will be back to business once the focus falls off. They might be freelancers, as right now Sinaloa is having an internal struggle for control in northern Mexico apparently. But screwing around with cartel business will not be tolerated. Our government will desire to crush them, not for protection of citizens, because of the money involved. For the optics for the public. Mexico will have a public stance, and private cooperation to a certain degree. A few high profile wins will make the news. Behind the scenes it will move on, with a different look. Everyone will still make money.

@Pivo
Another good reason to avoid California.