Posted on 01/27/2006 10:54:11 AM PST by NormsRevenge
A Mexican official suggested Thursday that it was American soldiers disguised as Mexicans who were involved in an armed standoff Monday along the Rio Grande with U.S. law enforcement officers.
Foreign Secretary Luis Ernesto Derbez said in a news conference that U.S. soldiers have helped drug traffickers in the past, but offered no specific examples.
"Members of the U.S. Army have helped protect people who were processing and transporting drugs," Derbez said. "And just as that has happened ... it is very probable that something like that could have happened, that in reality they were members of some of their groups disguised as Mexican soldiers with Humvees."
White House officials would not comment on Derbez's claim and referred all questions to the Department of Defense.
Defense spokeswoman Lt. Col. Ellen Krenke said officials from both Mexico and the United States are investigating the incident on the Texas border.
"The U.S. and Mexican government are working together to gain control of the border and will continue to collaborate," Krenke said.
On Wednesday, U.S. Ambassador Tony Garza issued a statement asking the Mexican government to "fully investigate" the border incident, which the Daily Bulletin first reported earlier this week.
Rep. David Dreier, R-Glendora, reiterated on Thursday the need for a Congressional investigation.
"Honestly, we need to get information for everybody's understanding," he said. "There are stories everywhere with few answers. We need to get to the bottom of this as soon as possible."
Dreier and Rep. Duncan Hunter, R-San Diego, jointly called for such an investigation after the Daily Bulletin published a story on Jan. 15 reporting more than 200 Mexican military incursions during the past 10 years, as documented by the Department of Homeland Security.
The newspaper also obtained a 2001 map bearing the seal of the president's Office of National Drug Control Policy and showing the locations of 34 of those incursions.
Derbez said his country will send a diplomatic note to Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice demanding that U.S. officials tone down their comments on Mexico's security and immigration problems.
State Department officials late Thursday said they have not received any note from the Mexican government and thus would not comment on Derbez's remarks.
Monday's armed standoff began 50 miles southeast of El Paso, when Texas state police tried to stop three sport utility vehicles on Interstate 10. The vehicles made a quick U-turn and headed south toward the border, a few miles away.
Crossing the border, one SUV got stuck in the Rio Grande, and men in a Humvee with a mounted gun tried in vain to tow it out. Then a group of men in civilian clothes began unloading what appeared to be bundles of marijuana and torched the SUV before fleeing.
Mexican officials insisted Wednesday that the men in military-style uniforms were drug smugglers, not soldiers. In Mexico, kidnappers and drug smugglers regularly wear police gear, which is sold at street stands.
Derbez said there was no proof that the men seen in the incident were Mexicans and that the men photographed by Texas law enforcement could have been Americans.
Three U.S. soldiers have pleaded guilty to running a cocaine smuggling ring from a U.S. base in Colombia, and a fourth is being tried in Texas this week.
I hope someone is doing a search on that VIN number! If it's stolen, that's one thing. If it was sold to the Mexican Gov/army, well,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
Shoot them next time and you will have the proof. Simple
The Mexicans think we are as stupid as they are?
Derbez must be smoking some of his own product.
Don't Bogart that joint, Luis Ernesto !
End the wire transfers of cash. That'll get their attention!
I think it's very probable that Derbez is a liar, and on the take from the drug cartels.
No, it was me -- Major Woody
"Sources" are claiming the rhetoric is due to the Mexican elections upcoming in July.
Not just drugs, they're trafficking in humans too, obviously.
Light up another joint Ernesto and say something else completly stupid.
Rep. David Dreier, R-Glendora, reiterated on Thursday the need for a Congressional investigation.
"Honestly, we need to get information for everybody's understanding," he said. "There are stories everywhere with few answers. We need to get to the bottom of this as soon as possible."
More "happy words" from Namby-Pamby David Dreier! Nothing will come of his request for information. He's a Republican Hack and will tell the Sports/Porn addicted U.S. populace whatever they want to hear.
Mexican Soldiers have crossed our Southern border more than 200 times. That is an Act Of War and should be treated as such.
Where the hell is my government!
A large number of army, air force, DPS, BP, and other uniformed personnel were busted over the last year in the Tucson sector who were actively involved in transporting and selling drugs.
Corruption in our military is far less common than in theirs.
This is just hilarious. Maybe they expect us to believe their crapola? *SIGH*
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.