Coast Guard personnel returned fire after receiving shots from the Mexican side of the Rio Grande River during a migrant interception operation on September 26. The incident occurred near Garceno, a small town in Starr County, Texas, while federal agencies conducted joint operations in the area. Officials confirmed on Friday that the Coast Guard was working with other federal agencies when the initial gunshots were heard, prompting a return of fire.
The Coast Guard stated that no injuries were reported among its personnel or other involved parties, and no damage occurred to Coast Guard assets or equipment. The agency is currently investigating the incident alongside federal partners, though it remains unclear who fired the initial shots.
U.S. Ambassador to Mexico Ronald Johnson addressed the event, noting that the embassy is coordinating with Mexican forces deployed to the border area where the shots were fired. Johnson stated that Mexican military commanders will communicate directly with U.S. forces. He added that both nations intend to patrol their shared border, protect communities, and disrupt criminal and terrorist organizations, asserting that any threats from such elements on either side will be addressed swiftly.
The military context for the deployment includes Operation River Wall, which the Coast Guard launched in October 2025. This operation involves additional personnel, boats, and assets patrolling approximately 260 miles of the Rio Grande along the U.S.-Mexico border. The Coast Guard reported working closely with Border Patrol, the Pentagon, and the Texas Military Department to secure the border and disrupt illicit activity.
On Friday, the U.S. military announced that hundreds of troops and their equipment had been repositioned to Texas' Rio Grande Valley. This movement was part of planned preparations to address what the military described as historically observed seasonal increases in attempted illegal activity. Additionally, 500 Mexican Army and National Guard personnel were deployed to their side of the border.
The Joint Task Force-Southern Border cited the September 26 Coast Guard encounter as an example of this uptick in illegal activity. The military's statement emphasized the need for a layered, integrated approach to control and defend the border, aiming to strengthen collective ability to counter illicit activity and safeguard personnel and communities.