Texas Governor Greg Abbott has pledged to resist federal directives following a request from a federal agency for the removal of structures built on Fronton Island, an area identified as a hotspot for Mexican drug cartel activities. In a letter addressed to President Biden and Vice President Harris, Abbott stated that the U.S. Section of the International Boundary and Water Commission (U.S. IBWC) instructed the Texas General Land Office (GLO) to revert the island to its “pre-construction conditions.”
Located on the Rio Grande along the U.S.-Mexico border, Fronton Island spans 170 acres and has been the site of significant cartel incidents, including gunfights and unlawful border crossings. Abbott detailed in his correspondence that for years, cartels had exploited the island’s dense vegetation and dilapidated structures to facilitate illegal activities, evade law enforcement, and engage in violent conflicts with each other. He cited instances where law enforcement unearthed caches of weapons, including assault rifles, grenade launchers, and explosives on the island.
Local law enforcement has recently been authorised to patrol Fronton Island, as noted by Texas Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham, who emphasised the importance of securing the border amidst the ongoing crisis. Abbott’s Operation Lone Star, launched in 2021, aims to tackle the influx of illegal immigrants and drugs from Mexico, with Texas National Guard personnel reinforcing border security through various measures.
The GLO has taken additional steps on the island, including the construction of sediment bridges, installation of concertina wire, and clearing of vegetation. The U.S. IBWC maintains that Fronton Island is federal property and that Texas has acted without proper permission. They reiterated their duty to monitor construction in the Rio Grande floodplain under a 1970 treaty with Mexico and requested discussions about any upcoming projects on federal land.
However, Abbott firmly contends that the island belongs to Texas. He criticises the Biden administration’s border policies as contributing to increased crime and violence threatening the safety of Texans. Tensions have escalated between Abbott and the Biden administration since Texas secured Fronton Island in October, which he argues has historically been overrun by cartel violence. In a statement on social media, Abbott affirmed Texas’s intent not to comply with federal demands to restore the island.