Matamoros, Tamaulipas

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Matamoros, Tamaulipas

Matamoros
—  City  —
The central plaza in Matamoros, Tamaulipas (Mexico).

Seal
Location Matamoros within Tamaulipas
Matamoros is located in Mexico
Matamoros
Location of Tamaulipas within Mexico
Coordinates: 25°52′47″N 97°30′15″W / 25.87972°N 97.50417°W / 25.87972; -97.50417Coordinates: 25°52′47″N 97°30′15″W / 25.87972°N 97.50417°W / 25.87972; -97.50417
Country  Mexico
State  Tamaulipas
Municipality Escudo de Matamoros.jpg Matamoros Municipality
Settled 1826
Government
 - Type Presidente Municipal
 - Presidente Municipal Alfonso Sanchez Garza
Elevation 9 m (30 ft)
Population (2010)
 - Total 493,508
Time zone CST (UTC-6)
 - Summer (DST) CST (UTC-5)
Codigo Postal 87300
Area code(s) +52-868
Airport General Servando Canales International Airport
Website matamoros.gob.mx

Matamoros, officially known as Heroica Matamoros, is a city in the northeastern part of Tamaulipas, in the country of Mexico. It is located on the southern bank of the Rio Grande, directly across the border from Brownsville, Texas, in the United States. Matamoros is the second largest and second most populous city in the state of Tamaulipas. As of 2010, Matamoros counts with a population of 489,193. In addition, the Matamoros—Brownsville Metropolitan Area counts with a population of 1,136,995, making it the fourth largest metropolitan area in the Mexico-US border. Matamoros is the thirty-ninth largest city in Mexico and anchors the second largest metropolitan area in Tamaulipas. Moreover, Matamoros is well-known for being the birthplace and base of the Gulf Cartel.

Contents

History

There are very few historical evidences about the native tribes that lived in present-day Matamoros. But just like in many parts of northern Tamaulipas, the region of Matamoros was most likely occupied by the one of these three tribes that inhabited Tamaulipas—the Olmecs, the Chicimecs, and the Huastecs—before their extermination by the Spanish colonials.

In the year 1519, the same year that Hernan Cortes arrived to the Americas at the port of Veracruz, a captain named Alonso Alvarez de Pineda carried out a brief expedition to the region of northern Tamaulipas, where he named the town known today as Rio Bravo (Rio Grande) as Rio de las Palmas (Palms River). Nevertheless, the actual founding of Matamoros began in 1686, when Captain Alonso de León explored the area and concluded that the Rio Grande River was an excellent route for navigation, and that the area of Matamoros was an ideal spot for cattle raising.

In the year 1749, thirteen enterprising families, twelve from Camargo and one from Reynosa, decided to invest and begin a new, influential cattle industry in the area. Former landowners were reluctant that this new investment would be successful, since the frequent overflows from the Rio Grande caused severe floods, and because ranches were occasionally attacked by Indians. Nonetheless, these thirteen families effectively carried out their business plan and structuralized 113 cattle-raising sites. In the year 1774, they officially named the area San Juan de los Esteros Hermosos, known today was Matamoros.

In order to colonize the province of Nuevo Santander in 1793, Francisco Pueyes and Manuel Julio Silva, two Franciscan missionaries, established a parish in the main plaza of Matamoros and proposed a new name for the community, Villa del Refugio, in honor of the parish and patron saint, Our Lady of the Refuge of the Estuaries.

In 1826, the governor Lucas Fernandez dispatched a decree to change the name of the city to Matamoros, in honor of Mariano Matamoros, a hero of the Mexican War of Independence who participated along Jose Maria Morelos. During the Texas Revolution (1836), Matamoros was the fortress for many Mexican soldiers against rebel attacks. In 1851, the city of Matamoros was again heroic for defending soldiers against attacks, and the troops of Francisco Avalos were able to repel their enemy.

After that victory, the state congress granted Matamoros the title of “Heroic,” countersigned by the Mexican Congress.

The future of the city radically changed after Matamoros declared itself an international free trade zone in 1858. This transformation brought upon urbanization, industrialization, and the expansion of the Bagdad Port, which experienced an economic boom for being the only entrance port for mercenaries for the Confederate States of America during the American Civil War.

The conclusion of the war, however, brought a severe crisis to the port of Bagdad, a crisis that until this day the port has never recovered from. In addition, a tremendous hurricane in 1889 destroyed the desolated port. This same hurricane was one of the many hurricanes during the period of devastating hurricanes of 1870 to 1889, which reduced the population of Matamoros to nearly half its size, mounting with it another upsetting economic downturn. During the French intervention, the port of Bagdad was the scene for the Battle of Bagdad, where the Mexican army defeated the French army and its conservative allies.

During the course of the Mexican Revolution, the generals Francisco Mújica and Lucio Blanco executed the first agrarian reform for land in the country (1913). Consequently, in the years to come, Matamoros enjoyed another golden era during The Cotton Age, from 1948 to 1962. This epoch placed Matamoros as the finest and largest cotton producer and exporter in the state of Tamaulipas and of the country. Since the ‘70s, and especially during the ‘90s, after the initiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement, foreign investment has multiplied in Matamoros, resulting in an enormous population growth, prominently from other Mexican states, like San Luis Potosi and Veracruz.

Economy

Industry

The economy of Matamoros depends primarily on its proximity to the United States, due to the importance of the strong presence of foreign investment in the area. Maquiladoras are a direct representation of American presence in the state of Tamaulipas; the trade of goods through the international bridges and the flow of people on both sides of the border play a huge role in the economic posture of Matamoros.

Matamoros is home to more than 122 maquiladoras dedicated in its majority to export to the United States. This industry produces technological goods like cables, electrical appliances, electrical components, vehicle parts and accessories, textiles, chemical products, machinery, and computer products. The city operates about 35% of the Tamaulipas’ maquiladora industry, placing second, just behind Reynosa. In December 2004, the maquiladora industry gave employment to more than 52,777 workers in Matamoros, which showed an increase of 576 jobs compared to 2003, formulating a 60% increase in employment.

Commerce

This economic activity is the second most important in the city of Matamoros, generating approximately 13.5% of the total employment in the municipality. The rapid growths of the population in Matamoros, along with an increase in incomes, have amplified the demand of satisfiers in the area. In the whole state of Tamaulipas, Matamoros places first in terms of jobs and businesses generated by foreign investment in the area, summing a total of 238 companies, 36% of the state’s whole business sector.

Agriculture

The rural area of Matamoros, Tamaulipas encompasses 97 communities, with more than 36,096 habitants in these small agrarian sectors. Traditionally, the city was eminently agricultural, cultivating sorghum, corn (maíz), beans, vegetables, and sunflower by millions each year. The terrain in Matamoros categorized in two factions: gley soil, land that is only used for grazing by livestock, and arable land, used solely for growing crops.

The municipality of Matamoros is found the Rio Grande River basin, and by means of irrigation, the agricultural sector flourishes in production. The two main water suppliers are the Rio Grande River and the Arroyo del Tigre, which have dams that irrigate the region.

Livestock

The bovine is the most predominant livestock in the municipality of Matamoros, and the commercialization of its meat is the principal income of ranchers in the region. In fact, livestock production goes as the following: bovine (62%), pigs (16%), and sheep (9%).

In the northern part of Tamaulipas, near the municipality of Matamoros, the breeding of calves is characterized and well-known for having European blood. However, this is only seen among specialized, high quality meat industries that breed Charolais cattle, Simmental cattle, and the Zebus.

Fishing Industry

Matamoros, Tamaulipas counts with more than 117 kilometers of coast in the Gulf of Mexico, and with a total of 70,000 hectares of the Laguna Madre. In addition, there is fishing activities in spots like Higuerillas, la Capilla, Rincón de las Flores, el Mezquital, and Playa Bagdad. The city counts with 10 fishing corporations operating in all of these areas.

Tourism

Playa Bagdad

Beautiful sunset at Playa Bagdad

The beach of Bagdad is 27kms east of Matamoros, about 20 minutes in trajectory. At Playa Bagdad, important fishing tournaments are held each year, where participants from all over the state of Tamaulipas get together. During Holy Week, the beach experiences an abundant presence of visitors, primarily from Nuevo León, where Playa Bagdad becomes the host of several concerts, sport tournaments, and festivals.

In 1985, during the yearly festival of ‘Festival del Mar,’ Rigo Tovar, along with other important attractions, played in Playa Bagdad. Bands like ‘La Firma’, ‘La Mira de Linares,’ and ‘La Leyenda,’ along with several other pop groups, have also played during the month of April, the most visited period of the year. In addition, Playa Bagdad counts with several important seafood restaurants. Jet Ski, surfing, and even motocross and off-road 4x4 racing are allowed with few area restrictions. In a single day during summer breaks, the number of visitors can get as high as 180,000.

Cultural attractions

Museum of Casamata.

Fortress of Casamata, converted into Museum Casamata in 1970, was a bastion that now guards a fine collection of prehispanic figurines and artifacts dating from central historic moments: the Spanish colonist era, the Mexican War of Independence, and the contentious Mexican Revolution. Unique and curious items are also exhibited, such as an iron casket where the remains of fearless General Canales once rested (fought against both American and French invasions) and the dark tunnels lounged beneath the construction, inevitable reference for local horror stories. The existence of a multipurpose hall and newspaper library also provide extra interest to the museum.

The ‘Museo de Arte Contemporáneo de Tamaulipas (MACT),’ inaugurated in 1969, is largest and most important art museum in the city, and one of the most memorable in the state of Tamaulipas. Art and photo exhibitions are held yearlong at MACT. Artworks from Mexico City, Monterrey, New York City, Los Angeles, Milan, and Paris have been displayed at this museum.

The central ‘plaza’ in Matamoros is home to the Presidential Offices, the Cathedral of Nuestra Señora Villa del Refugio, and of the Casino Matamorense, along with other historical buildings. The 'Teatro Reforma', the most important theater in the city, is found a few blocks away. In January 28, 1829, the plaza was named after the heroic and historical figure Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla, who fought in the Mexican War of Independence. Moreover, the Cathedral of Nuestra Señora Villa del Refugio, constructed in 1831, was one of the first mayor constructions and is one of the present symbols of the city. Its neoclassical architecture, along with its rich, historical background, attracts visitors yearlong. The Casino Matamorense, constructed in 1950, is traditionally considered the center of social gatherings for the principal families of Matamoros. And finally, the 'Teatro Reforma,' once considered the 'House of the Opera of the XIX Century', was constructed in 1861. For decades, the theater was home to important balls held by the richest families of Matamoros and the high-ranking military officers of the state. In addition, 'Teatro Reforma' is well-known for being the first place in history where the Mexican National Anthem was played.

Climate

The city of Matamoros, Tamaulipas has a warm, semi-arid climate, with mild winters, and hot, humid summers. Its proximity to the Gulf of Mexico accompanies cooler winds during the summers and winters, compared to its sister cities of Reynosa and Nuevo Laredo, which are farther inland. Moreover, the climate of Matamoros is subtropical, with relatively low precipitation patterns distributed throughout the summer, and with summer temperatures ranging from 30-40°C. Temperatures above 38°C are very uncommon, just as the other extreme, where freezing temperatures during the winter are rarely seen as well.

Heavy rainfall is usually seen during the months of July and August, although it is not uncommon to go about without any rain whatsoever during the "wet" season. The average temperatures during the winters usually range around 0-10°C; this seasons is usually attended with rain, drizzle, and fog. The last snowfall was seen on December 25, 2004, which is the greatest snowfall ever recorded in the city, with up to 3.8 cm (1.5 in) in one day.

International Bridges

The international exchange of goods and services between the U.S. and Mexico is seen in effect throughout the city of Matamoros with the presence of its four international bridges. It is worth mentioning that Matamoros, Tamaulipas is the only border city in the U.S.-Mexico border that counts with four international bridges.

Gateway International Bridge in Matamoros, Mexico.
  • Brownsville & Matamoros International Bridge (B&M): It is popularly known as the "Old Bridge" or "Puente Viejo," because of its original incarnation in 1904.
  • Gateway International Bridge: Popularly known as the "New Bridge" or "Puente Nuevo." This bridge is located in downtown Matamoros, Mexico and Brownsville, Texas, just a block away from the University of Texas at Brownsville. It is the most used international bridge for pedestrian crossings in the city.
  • Veterans International Bridge: Commonly known as "Los Tomates Bridge," this gateway is the largest and newest bridge in the Brownsville-Matamoros metropolitan area.
  • Free Trade International Bridge: Commonly known as "Los Indios Bridge," this is an international bridge which crosses the Rio Grande connecting the United States-Mexico border cities of Los Indios, Texas and Matamoros, Tamaulipas.

Famous people

Bronze statue honoring Rigo Tovar in Matamoros, Tamaulipas
  • Manuel González (1833–1893): Military soldier and politician, who also served as President of Mexico. He also played important roles in the French Intervention and in the Reform War with Benito Juárez.
  • Adalberto J. Arguelles (1850–1923): Notable professor, member of parliament, and served as director of the Educación Federal, La Sociedad Benefactora, and as member of Alianza Obrera Progresista.
  • Pedro Hinojosa (1820–1903): Former military officer and politician, who served as governor of Coahuila, Nuevo Leon, and Chihuahua; played vital roles in the French Intervention, in the Mexican-American War, and in the Reform War.
  • Raúl Garate Legleu (1896–1977): Military general and former governor of Tamaulipas; named police chief of Mexico City in 1920 and Subsecretary of National Defense of Mexico in 1947.
  • Guadalupe Mainero (1856–1912): Influential lawyer, journalist, and governor of Tamaulipas in 1896. In addition, he served as the President of the Supreme Court in Mexico in 1888.
  • Norma Alicia Moreno Figueroa (1962–1986): First Mexican women to violently die for her journalist work on the Mexican Drug War.
  • Rigo Tovar (1940–2005): Famous Cumbia singer who is considered the musical pioneer of fusing electric guitars, synthesizers and rock melody with traditional Mexican music.
  • Carlos de los Cobos (1958–present): Former soccer player and current manager who played in Club America and in CF Monterrey while also participating in the World Cup '86.
  • Cristina Rivera Garza (1964-present) is a Mexican writer who won the prestigious Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz Prize in 2001 and 2009, becoming the first writer to win the prize twice.
  • Lauro Villar Ochoa (1865–1913): Mexican general who defended Francisco I. Madero during La Decena Trágica.
  • Juan Nepomuceno Guerra (1915–2001): Mexican drug lord and founder of the Gulf Cartel. He smuggled alcohol to the United States in the '30s and later made a transition to drugs during the '70s with his nephew, Juan Garcia Abrego.
  • Juan Garcia Abrego (1944–present): Mexican drug lord and former leader of the Gulf Cartel during the 1980s. He is considered one of the godfathers in his cartel, under the tutelage of his uncle Juan Nepomuceno Guerra. After residing on the FBI's Most Wanted list, he was imprisoned in 1996 and still remains in jail.
  • Osiel Cárdenas Guillén (1967–present): Mexican drug lord and former leader of the Gulf Cartel. Cárdenas was at one point in his career considered among the FBI Most Wanted. He is currently imprisoned in Houston, Texas and sentenced for 25 years.
  • Antonio Ezequiel Cárdenas Guillén: (1962–2010): Mexican drug lord, former leader of the Gulf Cartel, and brother of Osiel Cárdenas; he died in a shooting with the Mexican Marines in Matamoros.
  • Mario Cárdenas Guillén: Mexican drug lord and top lieutenant of the Gulf Cartel. He was imprisioned in 1995 for drug trafficking, and was later released in 2007. It was believed that he still controlled cocaine shipments into the U.S. behind bars.
  • Jorge Eduardo Costilla Sánchez (1971–present): Mexican drug lord and current leader of the Gulf Cartel. He worked as a police officer in Matamoros before initiating his drug trafficking career.
  • Eliseo Paredes Manzano (1899–1988): businessman and journalist who served as mayor of Matamoros. He was the founder of Crédito Industrial de Monterrey and of Asociación de Charros, treasurer of Comité Pro-Educación local, director of Cruz Roja, president of Club Rotario, and commander of Tercer Batallón Regional de la Defensa Civil.
  • Carlos Quintero Lamar (1863–1933): Former lawyer and diplomat who studied in Tulane University. He later served as consul in the country of Costa Rica and in New Orleans, U.S.

Gulf Cartel

Main article: Gulf Cartel

The illicit drug organization known as the Gulf Cartel is one of the oldest and most powerful Mexican drug cartels in the nation. It smuggles cocaine, marijuana, methamphetamine, heroine, and other illegal drugs into the United States, and is currently based in the city of Matamoros, Tamaulipas. Some federal government sources reveal that the Gulf Cartel has thousands of foot soldiers in Matamoros alone, and other several thousand across the state of Tamaulipas and in 13 other states in Mexico. Besides Matamoros, the Gulf Cartel has an overarching presence in its sister city of Reynosa. Due to its separation from Los Zetas, its rival group, the major cities of Nuevo Laredo and Tampico are still disputed territories.

Mexican government seizures weapons from the Gulf Cartel in Reynosa, Mexico.

The Gulf Cartel origins can be traced back to 1984, when Juan García Ábrego assumed control of his uncle’s small drug trafficking business and started making connections with the Cali Cartel to smuggle drugs to the U.S. After a prosperous decade, Juan García Ábrego was arrested in 1996, and Osiel Cárdenas Guillén took control of the Gulf Cartel. In order to combat the rising rivals of the Gulf Cartel and the Mexican Forces, Cardenas recruited 40 ex-military officials from the Mexican Special Forces to become the Gulf Cartel’s armed wing. This military wing was later called Los Zetas. They were all expert sharpshooters, capable of performing rapid deployment and military operations in almost any environment, and were trained in weapons that were inaccessible to most recruits in any drug cartel.

Osiel Cárdenas Guillén was captured in a confrontation between the Gulf Cartel and the Mexican Marines in 2003, but it was believed that he still operated behind the bars. Then, in 2007, he was extradited to the United States and was sentenced to 25 years in prison. Due to the tension and disagreement between who would take the leadership role in the drug business, the Gulf Cartel and Los Zetas separated in 2008 and officially broke relations in 2010, and the bloody drug war between them for territory is still an ongoing conflicted.

Sister Cities

  • United States Brownsville, Texas (2009)
  • Mexico Valle Hermoso, Tamaulipas (2009)

In Music

  • 'Mi Matamoros Querido' by Rigo Tovar.
  • 'Viva Matamoros' — Xavier Pasos.
  • 'El Comandante Metro 4' — Banda Ms
  • 'La Maña' — Los Cadetes de Linares.
  • 'Cruzando el Puente' — Los Cadetes de Linares.
  • 'Gatilleros de Alta Escuela' — Beto Quintanilla.
  • 'Escolta Suicida' — Beto Quintanilla.
  • 'El Flaco de Matamoros' — Beto Quintanilla.
  • 'El Calabazo de Matamoros' — Beto Quintanilla.
  • 'Los amores del Muñeco de Matamoros' — Beto Quintanilla.
  • 'El Kari' — Beto Quintanilla.
  • 'Pepe Guerra' — Beto Quintanilla.
  • 'Corrido de Osiel Cárdenas' — Beto Quintanilla.
  • 'Omar González' — Beto Quintanilla.
  • 'Esta Vez Le He Ganado' — Beto Quintanilla.
  • 'Marisco de Espina Grande' — Beto Quintanilla.
  • 'La Traición de Cerrato' — Beto Quintanilla.
  • 'La Chacha' — Beto Quintanilla.
  • 'Juan Del Toro' — Beto Quintanilla.
  • 'El Pescado Enjabonado' — Beto Quintanilla.
  • 'El Gane' — Beto Quintanilla.
  • 'El Deportado' — Beto Quintanilla.
  • 'Eleazar Del Fierro' — Beto Quintanilla.
  • 'Don Cruzito Venegas' — Beto Quintanilla.
  • 'Alfredo Venegas' — Beto Quintanilla.
  • 'El Veliz' — Beto Quintanilla.
  • 'Las Cuatro Camionetas' — Beto Quintanilla.
  • 'El Patrón de Los Zetas' — Beto Quintanilla.
  • 'Escorpio' — Cartel de Santa
  • 'El Tigre' — Cartel de Santa

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