The border crossing between San Ysidro (California) and Tijuana (Mexico), considered the busiest in the world, closed temporarily for a security exercise conducted by the Office of Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
It is the second time in the last two months that said port of entry has suspended its operations because of these exercises.
The first exercise carried out last November was made after some Central Americans who came to Tijuana in the migrant caravan tried to cross the border fence, however, today’s took human rights activists by surprise because they say the number of immigrants in the Mexican city “has been reduced”.
During the exercise, dozens of federal agents practiced their training with anti-riot equipment in the 26 lanes that make up the international crossing, at the same time that gas masks were placed.
At least four detonations were heard and smoke devices were thrown, while a helicopter was flying over the area.
“CBP is constantly evaluating the capabilities of our facilities and has been – and will continue to make – the necessary preparations,” authorities of the federal agency said in a statement.
