Mexican cartel delivers 'kidnappers' -- five bound men -- and an apology

[mn9driver]

2. The Gulf Cartel competes with the Mexican government in that area.

The shooting/kidnapping of the "wrong" people isn't a good look for them. This is their way of assuring the (Matamoros) public that they take responsibility and won't randomly shoot up medical tourists again.

It's as if there are actually two governments; one in the open and one in the shadows. They coexist and try to avoid trouble with one another. From the Mexican point of view, pressure from the US to "do something" about the cartel will result in a lot of bloodshed and not solve the problem, so the cartel's gesture is a good thing and shows that they are taking it seriously. I suspect the US will not see it the same way.