Men in sports utility vehicles shot 14 people on Saturday in different parts of the city of Reynosa on the border with the United States, newspaper Milenio reported, citing anonymous security sources.

Another person was killed in an attack on police, according to the report.

In northern Mexico, various crime syndicates are vying for control of the lucrative smuggling routes for drugs, weapons and people.

The Mexican government has so far not succeeded in getting control over the huge issue of violence in the Latin American country.

While previous governments relied primarily on repression, Mexico's current president, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, has said he wants to fight cartels with "hugs not bullets."

The strategy has not worked so far and violence has increased.

Mexico records almost 100 homicides every day.

In addition, more than 88,000 people are considered missing. Most cases are never solved.

Australian Associated Press