Two people employed at the US Embassy in Mexico City were wounded after their car was mistakenly fired on by police, south of Mexico City.
In a joint statement by the Ministry of Public Security and the Secretary of the Navy (SEMAR) said, “Today (Friday, August 24, 2012), at 8:00 am, a diplomatic vehicle belonging to the US Embassy was hit by multiple bullets from personnel of the Federal Police in the Tres Marias-Huitzilac Highway. A Mexican Marine traveling with the two embassy personnel in their vehicle was slightly injured in the exchange.”
Comment: He wasn’t a “marine” really, he is a captain in the Mexican Navy, assigned to Naval Infantry duties. The article makes him sound like a bodyguard.
“Its statement said at least four vehicles fired at the embassy vehicle on a road south of the capital, but it did not clarify whether any or all of them were federal police units. Federal police spokesmen did not respond to The Associated Press requesting further comment.”
Washington Post: “A U.S. official who was briefed on the shooting said later that all the shots were fired by federal police.”
“The shooting broke out in an area that has been used by common criminals, drug gangs and leftist rebels in the past.”
For you unfamiliar with the road, it’s the main highway between Mexico City and Cuernavaca.
(Washington Post) “Mexican prosecutors said in a statement late Friday that 12 officers based in Mexico City were being held for questioning. Officers based in the capital have jurisdiction only in Mexico City and in four suburbs of neighboring Mexico State, not in Cuernavaca.”
So to sum it up, an armored US Embassy vehicle with diplomatic plates was laid waste by four vehicles driven by Federal officers from Secretaria de Seguridad Publica. One can only speculate as to whether the US personnel had been targeted specifically by the Federal Police – some of whom are known to take ‘gifts’ from cartels.
The full story is (HERE) in the Washington Post.
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| Pictures from the scene showed the (armored) Toyota vehicle riddled with bullet-holes [AP] |
Continuing – from the Associated Press:
The trio were driving to a military installation when they were approached on a dirt road by a vehicle whose passengers displayed weapons.
“The driver of the diplomatic vehicle used evasive manoeuvers and when it returned on the highway, the passengers in the attacking vehicle opened fire on the diplomatic vehicle,” the statement said.
“Moments later three other vehicles joined the chase and shot at the US embassy vehicle.” The statement did not specify who the four attacking vehicles belonged to or whether it was police bullets that hit the three victims.
To those of use who vacation in Mexico regularly, this is not at all uncommon. (my photos below from last year) Ok, it’s not exactly Club Med these days in Mexico. But it is a different latitude …antidote for civilization and all that.
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| This one (last year) didn’t have armor. [author photo] ooops. |
Another angle. It’s amazing that anyone would survive.
AFI is Mexico’s version of the US Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Vacation in Mexico — Advertising…
This blog was not compensated for the advertising above.
Post Script: Don’t expect any outrage to be expressed by the Obama Administration because (a) They’re in campaign mode, and they don’t want images of their failed policies in Mexico to sway the opinions of voters away from voting four more years of ObamaNation; and (b) Official attention is likely to bring up the Obama Administration’s policy of selling arms to cartels (Operation Gunwalker) and then not tracking them. That and Holder’s current ‘misunderstanding with Congress’ don’t play well with the public.
Mexican cartels: their gifts keep on giving, apparently.
The hits keep on coming.
Sounds to me like 'somebody' didn't get paid enough… or the WRONG 'somebody' got paid…
Attacks on diplomatic personnel in Mexico were once considered rare, but this was the third shooting incident in two years. The US Embassy personnel were with the US State Dept. not "legats" (FBI or DEA).
Perhaps a bit more armor on US vehicles? I agree that the Golfer in Chief won't make much of a comment. Maybe, "Watch yo self, ya hear."
Or better HUMINT on warnings and intentions?
As to me, I'm the sole of discretion — you know me, a devout coward.
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