Monday, June 18, 2007

Life and Death at the Mexican Checkpoints

By Allan Wall

Today’s traveler, traversing the highways of Mexico, eventually encounters a checkpoint manned by soldiers or policemen.  The traveler may be questioned, his car searched, or he may simply be waved through.

On my latest trip, I was riding on a bus that was stopped at a Mexican checkpoint operated by the AFI (Federal Investigation Agency) and INM (National Migration Institute).  I was removed from the bus for questioning.

I produced my FM-3 work permit, which allows me to legally reside in Mexico and teach at a university. They asked me where I work. They asked me about my U.S. military status (I drill monthly with the Texas Army National Guard, and I was on my way to drill).  I was even questioned about some pictures in my carryon bag, which had been drawn by my children (ages seven and four).

When all was said and done, the AFI agent was satisfied and I was released to re-board the bus. I told the officer to have a nice day, and that he was doing his job.

Mexican officials have the right to investigate me, that’s what they did, and they decided I wasn’t up to any mischief.

Checkpoints are a tool — a very visible and concrete tool — used by Mexican military and civilian officials to fight the cartels, illegal immigration and deal with other matters.

A checkpoint can be dangerous if drivers don’t heed the officers. Recently there have been several shootings.

In May, in the Gulf coast state of Veracruz, a van attempted to run a joint army/police checkpoint and was fired upon. After the driver escaped on foot, the soldiers and policemen discovered 35 Central American illegal aliens in the van, one of whom was wounded. 

On June 3rd, near Nuevo Laredo, a 27-year old motorist failed to stop at a checkpoint and was shot and killed.

The most publicized such checkpoint shooting was in Sinaloa.  A car was fired upon, killing two women and three children (but not the driver).  The soldiers said the car was approaching the checkpoint at a high rate of speed, and they fired upon it from the automobile’s front and sides.

A subsequent search of the car revealed no drugs or other evidence of illegal activity. 

The tragic shooting was roundly condemned, and 19 Mexican soldiers (16 enlisted men and three junior officers) have been court-martialed. The case is pending, and some facts about the case are still unclear.

To a soldier on a checkpoint, a fast approaching vehicle is a threat.  When you’re standing on the highway, and a car is approaching rapidly, it may well be an attack.  In May, an army/police checkpoint in Huatulco, Oaxaca was attacked.

Our troops in Iraq have been involved in situations almost identical to the Sinaloa case.   U.S. soldiers manning checkpoints have fired upon speeding vehicles, killing civilians who were not insurgents.  From the point of view of the soldier, when a car is speeding your way you don’t know who or what’s in the car, and you have to react immediately.

Soldiers manning checkpoints generally have their “rules of engagement” — regulations that instruct them what to do in certain situations. 

What rules of engagement does the Mexican army have for checkpoints?  Were those soldiers in Sinaloa following their rules of engagement? If they were, why are they in jail and not the higher-ranking officers who instructed them?  Are these soldiers human rights violators, fall guys, or both?

What about the driver of the car that was shot at? What was he thinking?

Was the Sinaloa checkpoint clearly marked?  I don’t know.  All the Mexican checkpoints I have personally passed through have been well marked. But I can’t say that I’ve seen every single checkpoint in Mexico.

Both military and police have a responsibility to operate clearly marked checkpoints.  They need to be clearly visible to an approaching motorist, who will then have ample time to slow down. At night, it must be marked with lights so the driver has time to see it and slow down.

Of course, soldiers or policemen at a checkpoint must be armed and able to defend themselves. And the public has to understand that.

To be both effective and safe for the public, checkpoints must be clearly marked, the public needs to be informed, and soldiers need clear rules of engagement.  Even then, one must proceed with caution.

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Allan Wall, a MexiData.info columnist, recently returned from a tour of duty in Iraq.  He currently resides in Mexico, where he has lived since 1991. He can be reached via e-mail at allan39@prodigy.net.mx.