Monday, January 14, 2008
Mexican
Government Decries US Border Patrol Firing Tear Gas into Tijuana
Secretariat
of Foreign Relations
Considering the early morning events that took place
[on January 11], in the Colonia Libertad area of Tijuana, where tear gas was launched presumably by Border Patrol agents from
the United States into Mexican territory, the Secretariat of Foreign Relations declares the following:
The Mexican government will undertake an exhaustive
investigation of these actions that have affected the dwellings of Mexican residents on the border in order to take those
measures that may be relevant.
The Mexican government forcefully rejects these measures
that affect Mexican nationals. Mexico is certain that dialogue and cooperation
with the United States will allow precise observance of all matters related to the border, and that, in a climate of understanding
and collaboration, these actions are unnecessary, unacceptable and out of place.
The launching of these tear gases does not contribute
at all to the climate of constructive understanding and collaboration that prevails between both countries in attending to
the border situation. The Mexican government will seek actions that should be
implemented through the Border Liaison Mechanisms, and through the Protocols of Collaboration in order to Fight Border Violence,
in a climate of cooperation with the United States.
* US media synopsis: see below
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Secretariat of Foreign Relations, January 11, 2008,
Mexico City
– Edited translation by MexiData.info
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*
Tear-gas investigation: The government objected to what it called a tear-gas
attack about 5 a.m. Friday in the Colonia Libertad neighborhood of Tijuana, a traditional launching point for illegal border
crossers. Tijuana's Channel 12 news reported that it was the sixth time the U.S. Border Patrol has been accused of firing
tear gas or pepper spray across the border in the past two months. Border Patrol spokesman Gabriel Guerrero told Channel 12
that agents were defending themselves from rock throwers and that one canister of gas, which did not go off, unfortunately
landed across the border. Colonia Libertad residents who say they have nothing to do with people hurling objects complain
that they are being sprayed. No one was reported hurt. “This Week in Mexico,” The San Diego Union-Tribune, January 13, 2008.
