In a dramatic turn of events, U.S. forces made an unexpected appearance on a Mexican beach, escalating existing tensions after former President Donald Trump issued threats to bomb the nation. The incident unfolded on Monday when American ‘contractors’ arrived at Playa Bagdad via boat, planting warning signs in the sand near the Rio Grande’s mouth, where it flows into the Gulf of Mexico. Startled onlookers quickly informed local authorities, prompting a swift response from heavily armed Mexican security forces. The scene turned tense as these forces arrived in trucks equipped with machine guns, setting the stage for a nerve-wracking standoff.

The Pentagon later issued an embarrassing clarification, acknowledging that its troops had mistakenly landed on the beach. Witnesses reported that the Americans erected six signs, each declaring the area a ‘restricted zone’ under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Department of Defense. Written in both English and Spanish, the signs warned that unauthorized entry or photography was prohibited, further stating that individuals found in the area might be detained and searched.

Reacting to the intrusion, Mexico’s foreign affairs ministry stated that its navy had removed the signs, which they asserted were placed on Mexican soil. On Tuesday, the U.S. Embassy in Mexico released a statement from the Pentagon, confirming that personnel had been dispatched to designate what they referred to as ‘National Defense Area III.’

‘Changes in water depth and topography altered the perception of the international boundary’s location,’ the statement said. ‘Government of Mexico personnel removed six signs based on their perception of the international boundary’s location.’ The Pentagon added that contractors would ‘coordinate with appropriate agencies to avoid confusion in the future.’ Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum declared on Tuesday that the International Boundary and Water Commission, a binational agency that determines the border between the two countries, would arbitrate the dispute.

Mexico’s Foreign Affairs Ministry said in a statement that ‘the origins of the signs and their placement on national territory were unclear’ and the Mexican Section of the International Boundary and Water Commission is getting involved. ‘[They] will review the maps and instruments that mark the border between both countries, as established by existing boundary and water treaties,’ the statement ended. The IBWC is a binational agency that oversees the border and water treaties between the US and Mexico, marking the international boundary as one of its several jobs.

Reportedly, both the US and Mexican agencies should seek advice from the IBWC before doing any construction or starting any project that might affect the international boundary. The exact location of the beach remains unconfirmed by both parties, but a video circulating on social media and in local news appears to show Mexican marines taking down the signs. Questions remain about what Navy personnel were doing there and who the authority was on the project.

The Daily Mail reached out to the White House for clarification on the issue, and whether the order came directly from President Trump, given his comments earlier about drugs in Mexico and his willingness to take action. They did not immediately respond. Sheinbaum on Tuesday once again turned down Trump’s suggestion to have US military intervention against the drug cartels.

‘I have told him on every occasion that we can collaborate, that they can help us with information they have, but that we operate in our territory, that we do not accept any intervention by a foreign government,’ Mexico’s president said. Trump has said several times as of late that he is ‘not happy with Mexico.’ Mexico’s president has rejected the name–change of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America by Trump at the start of his second term –– which added a layer of complexity to the planted signs .