Submit your comments on this article | ||
Caribbean-Latin America | ||
Update on Americans Attacked in SUV in Mexico City | ||
2012-08-31 | ||
* Americans were employees of CIA * Their vehicle was ambushed by multiple attackers * Mexican Federal Police showed up only after a serious attack on the SUV
The reports given the same day of the incident, which occurred near Tres Marias, Morelos, the U.S. embassy reported that it had been an ambush , while the Federal Police said it had been a confusion . Interception The information from the Attorney General''s Office (PGR) said that the CIA agents who were to conduct follow up shooting courses at the Marine Corps. As they traveled in the stretch of dirt known as El Capulin, in Xalatlaco, Mexico State, they encountered a Dodge Van with several heavily armed civilians who, at gunpoint , forced them to stop.While not aiming their weapons, two of them approached the Toyota. , Suddenly, the driver of the U.S. embassy vehicle abruptly threw the vehicle in reverse while turning it around then sped to the federal highway with the gunmen shooting at the vehicle in full pursuit. The pursuit grows During the pursuit a second vehicle, a Sentra, appeared attempting to block the embassy vehicle, while four gumen in the Sentra opened fire with heavy artillery.During the chase, and with two vehicles in pursuit, they passed through a village near a junction, where eight plainclothes men in two vehicles, joined the Toyota aggression and also began firing weapons.Now chased by four cars, and U.S. agents tried to signal Marines at a gas station, but after failing the pursuit continued. When reaching the junction there awaited a fifth vehicle, that joined the chase and also began shooting.Once in the federal highway, because of the impact damage, the Toyota was immobilized and yet still sustaining shots of high-caliber weapons. One of the assailants with an AK-47 (cuerno de chivo/goat horn) blasted the armored diplomatic vehicle. It was during the attack with the AK47 when U.S. agents were injured, they were in the front seats and the Marina officer in the rear.The informant added that directly after the shooting ceased three Federal Police vehicles arrived at the scene.Federal agents got out of their patrol cars with weapons drawn. One of them approached the Toyota and was when officers identified themselves as U.S. diplomats. | ||
Posted by:Raider |
#10 Meh...Afganisthan...it's really the russkie's problem now...and the Chineses...and the Indians. A few nukes of some poppy fields would get the mudjz thinking. Building that messy can fence would cost the same as two weeks of operation in the sandbox... And tossing out the gangbangers would be nearly free! But you need to get rid of Hussein Soetoro first! |
Posted by: hotspur666 2012-08-31 19:18 |
#9 Gotta' tel you ... if I was down in Mex doing a job like that - you wouldn't find me without ... (1) A couple of experienced partners (2) Everyone carrying 45 pistols and a rifle chambered in 7.62 x 51 (.308) - Not to mention a lot of ammo. The USA has _got_ to change its ROE for Mexico. We can't just keep asking people to travel around with no personal weapons and relying on armored SUV's only. |
Posted by: Raider 2012-08-31 16:31 |
#8 The heaviest weapon routinely used by the cartel shooters have been 40mm launched grenades. I have read reports of munitions such as Claymore mines, C4 charges, RPG rounds and commercial grade dynamite (Tovex) found in the bad guys' possession, but those are apparently used in VBIEDs, but not very often. The cartels using an RPG or some other explosive weapon would be an escalation in this fight neither they nor their shooters would survive. We have had this discussion over at Borderland Beat before and my contention is that the cartels suffer from a lack of technical expertise necessary to deploy any heavier weapons than the 40mm grenade launcher. |
Posted by: badanov 2012-08-31 16:17 |
#7 Was thinking the same thing Raider. The way they got out and approached the vehicle seemed to indicate they wanted the occupants alive. And I don't doubt the cartels have some heavy-weapons that could have ripped apart that SUV "bulletproof" or not. The real question then becomes: Who exactly was so important in that Vehicle to risk so much reprisal? |
Posted by: Charles 2012-08-31 15:31 |
#6 Who needs Afghanistan when you have Mexico right next door? |
Posted by: Ebbang Uluque6305 2012-08-31 15:29 |
#5 I was thinking some more about this incident. IF the reports are true - always doubtful for Mexico of course - then it seems like the cartel put a lot of assets onto one hit. They didn't need 4 vehicles to get the job done. I am wondering if this was an attempted kidnapping ... in which case it would have been a very painful ending for the occupants of the SUV. SLBFY = Save Last Bullet For Yourself |
Posted by: Raider 2012-08-31 12:52 |
#4 Yes Raider, that 'combat driving course' paid off. Hat tip to the driver. He saved everyone's a**es. Appears it was a bit more than a few warning shots as I had initially suspected. |
Posted by: Besoeker 2012-08-31 10:58 |
#3 Besoeker ... you got it. Somebody knew their route and the choke points exactly. Whatever the CIA is really doing in Mex - apparently it's ruining the breakfast of some cartel capo. |
Posted by: Raider 2012-08-31 10:32 |
#2 Yes, **** the RSO, he's sleeping in, you know the drill. These are the usual choke points. If **** happens....I'll hit reverse...execute a "J" turn, weave and plow through the blocking vehicle hitting it's ass end if necessary. No stopping until we get back to town. Keep the windows up, weapons on safe, stay with the vehicle. Jake, you've got the radio. Everybody got it? Worst score buys the Corona. Let's go. |
Posted by: Besoeker 2012-08-31 07:41 |
#1 Notice how Mex police or Feds show up ... after the cartel assassins have already done the dirty work. It's pretty much a repetitive pattern down there. Funny how that always seems to work out, isn't it? I'm guessing the CIA is trying hard to figure out who leaked the details of this visit by their employees. Obviously someone at a high level in Mexican intel is passing info to one of the cartels. It's a dirty place to do business. Once again ... GREAT job in evasive driving by the person behind the wheel in that SUV. If they had reacted just a few seconds slower - everybody in that vehicle would be dead. |
Posted by: Raider 2012-08-31 00:43 |