The story says he's a Marine *veteran*.That says to me that he's discharged/retired rather than active.But if he is active that increases the urgency of someone from the State Dept contacting the Mexican government to strike a deal.
True enough “once a Marine always a Marine” and that’s commonly accepted. Qua a civilian, his situation is more difficult. The road foulup was not on the Mexican side however. Why is this road cluttered like that?