Crime

Update: ICE Agents Unarmed at Time of Drug Cartel Ambush

Update: ICE Agents Unarmed at Time of Drug Cartel Ambush

Special Agent Jaime Zapata

New information suggests the two American Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents who were fired upon on a road north of Mexico City were likely unarmed when they came under the fire of a notorious Mexican drug gang Tuesday.

On Wednesday, the Associated Press confirmed the gunmen know the agents were U.S. law enforcement when they were targeted Tuesday:

Texas Congressman Michael McCaul, who was briefed on the incident as chairman of the Homeland Security Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee, the gunmen opened fire after the agents indentified themselves as U.S. diplomats.

An U.S. law enforcement official told The Associated Press that the gunmen made comments before they fired indicating they knew who their targets were. The official was not authorized to discuss the case publicly.

“This was an intentional ambush against two United States federal agents,” McCaul said in a statement. “This tragic event is a game changer. The United States will not tolerate acts of violence against its citizens or law enforcement and I believe we must respond forcefully.”

Agent Jaime Zapata and his partner came under fire as they drove from Monterrey to Mexico City Tuesday. Zapata was fatally wounded in the incident and died shortly thereafter. His partner was in stable condition Tuesday evening, having sustained multiple gunshots.

According to Rio Grande Valley’s KRGV, ICE officials have confirmed that U.S. law enforcement are prohibited from carrying weapons in Mexico:

Zapata was one of about 30 agents assigned to Mexico. The role of ICE agents and officers across the border is to provide case support to their Mexican law enforcement counterparts. They help in drug and sex trafficking cases along with money and human smuggling.

Although this is a dangerous job, the Mexican government does not authorize U.S. law enforcement working in Mexico to carry weapons. They may only carry guns if they are in one of the country’s embassies.

In addition, new video shows the casket believed to be carrying agent Zapata as it was loaded into a Mexican hearse before departing for the Valley.

Zapata’s death has hit his community especially hard.

“I’m sad. I don’t even know who he is, but I don’t know. I feel this kind of emotion,” one resident told KRGV. “I get upset because they [the U.S. government] say that there’s not that much violence here in the Valley and there is.”

Another resident, Rey Villarreal, says Zapata‘s untimely death sends a clear message that the cartels aren’t intimidated by the United States. “If they can do it to them, they can do it to anybody,” he said. Zapata was a federal officer. He was also one of our own, he added.

Zapata was from Brownsville. He was working for ICE based out of Laredo, Texas. He was reportedly on loan for a special task force. One of Zapata’s good friends spoke to Channel 5 and described the slain agent as “an angel.”

“He was the kind of guy just to talk, hang around with, cook out. Real down to earth,” Rudy de la Rosa said. “He always gave a ‘buenos consejos’ to everyone. A real good friend.”

Comments (26)

  • temple62
    Posted on February 21, 2011 at 6:21pm

    And just what else could we expect from the Homeland Security Department? Arizona is so glad Napolitano is no longer the governor here!

    Report Post » temple62  
  • BidBerthaDotCom
    Posted on February 19, 2011 at 11:29am

    Mexico is proof that when guns are outlawed, only outlaws will have guns.

    Report Post » BidBerthaDotCom  
  • nolefan2
    Posted on February 19, 2011 at 12:38am

    This administration needs to get off its rear end and start protecting our borders. Janet Incompetano claims the border is safer than it ever was. Liar. She pretty much dared the cartels to bring their violence over here. I am sure they are frightened of her. NOT. She should resign yesterday.

    Report Post »  
  • AirtechJr
    Posted on February 18, 2011 at 9:07am

    “This was an intentional ambush against two United States federal agents,” McCaul said in a statement. “This tragic event is a game changer. The United States will not tolerate acts of violence against its citizens or law enforcement and I believe we must respond forcefully.”

    Safe to say the friends and family of assassinated Arizona rancher Robert Krentz would disagree this is happening.

    The feds keeping us safe. Yeah Right.

    Report Post » AirtechJr  
  • independentvoteril
    Posted on February 17, 2011 at 11:38pm

    How awful.. bet old Jimmy, Obama, Hilary and Big Sis thinks the cartel are nice like the MUSLIM BROTHERHOOD .. the cartels only want FREEDOM..

    Report Post » independentvoteril  
  • temple62
    Posted on February 17, 2011 at 6:23pm

    Napolitano needs to render her resignation today over this debacle! She is not fit to lead or direct American agents from here on out!

    Report Post » temple62  
  • fighting_mabus
    Posted on February 17, 2011 at 5:10pm

    Please folks stop throwing stones. This could not have been an accident.
    How could the ICE officials not know that one does not drive a lone Suburban across this portion of Mexico, a roughly 9 hour drive, let alone without armed backup?
    How could ICE not have the funds to send these two agents to Monterrey on a safe and cozy flight?
    They must have been sacrificed by the Mabus administration… offered up to add greater spectacle to the global insurrection in progress.

    Report Post »  
  • mytwocents
    Posted on February 17, 2011 at 4:42pm

    Our gov. has said it’s because of our guns and our gun laws the cartels are able to wage this war. When I hear of people being beheaded I guess that means they got their heads shot off.

    Report Post »  
  • alexis23
    Posted on February 17, 2011 at 12:37pm

    It is so amazing to me how many ignorant people there are.it is not all Mexicans fault that these agents were shoot dnt get me wrong my heart goes out to the families of these men but come on people is not all Mexicans that did this. Is war the only solution you have if it is then this is why the world is messed up. The American government should be more concentrated in fixing its own economy and stop trying to get into other counties the only reason they do this is to show that they are more powerful than other countries, but the only thing they are doing is making enemies..and people like you that think that dominating other countries any your racist comments aren’t helping.. so if that’s the case then when that nine year old girl was shoot by that whit guy all Mexico should have hone to war with America..if u guys didn’t know its not just American people that are being killed Mexican people are being killed also by these cartels there have been 30,000 Mexicans killed so far by the drug cartels and still counting its not Mexicans that are the bad people its the drug dealers and its not a country its individual men! So why dnt you guys stop the ignorance and the rude and tasteless comments

    Report Post »  
  • popwireless
    Posted on February 17, 2011 at 9:33am

    You don’t suppose someone in the government set this up for the cartel do you?

    Report Post »  
  • Silat
    Posted on February 17, 2011 at 9:04am

    The USA should make it a federal crime punishable by death if someone is caught selling drugs to minors. If someone is caught with drugs in the USA they should be put in a labor camp for a month and given hard labor. Each time they repeat the offense, they go in for extended work at the camp. Sooner or later it would wear them out.
    US citizens support the Mexican drug trade!
    Schools should stop giving our children drugs for OCD and all of that other crap. We are a nation of drug addicts starting in grade school. “Oh that child requires too much of my attention, he needs to by on drugs.” Right teacher, like you are a doctor!

    Report Post »  
    • Ashrak
      Posted on February 17, 2011 at 10:14am

      Silat,
      The war on drugs supports the Mexican and south American drug trade.This while government facilitates even more drug trade all across this country. Permission slips are the only line of separation. Billions upon billions of taxpayers’ dollars are being wasted on a fight that only an individual can decide for themselves. And before you talk smack, I buried my best friend as a result of a speedball (that is cocaine and heroine) overdose several years ago. And you know what that experience taught me? It taught me that no amount of illegality, no amount of “programs” or even jail time made one tiny bit of difference. My buddy made his own choices, regardless of what those around him tried to do to “help” him. He died by his own hand and it is nobody’s fault but his own.

      It is amazing how personal experience can affect one’s outlook.

      We are a nation of addicts all right. We have become a nation that crossed the line that is the right to tell someone we think what they are doing is wrong into the territory where we think it appropriate to gang up big government, like a schoolyard bully, to impose our will upon others. That is the addiction in need of address. The addiction to usurpation of Liberty, for our own good – for our own safety- is destroying us from within.

      More government intervention is not the answer. More personal responsibility combined with less government intervention is.

      Report Post » Ashrak  
  • Reynaldo
    Posted on February 17, 2011 at 8:41am

    When DEA Special Agent Enrique Camarena was assassinated we went after the bastards with impunity and extreme prejudice, but now our politically correct policy is to allow the corrupt mexican president to come here and belittle our great country. Very hypocritical from Obama to call his parents to show “sympathy” when it was his policies that allowed this to happen. I am sad for OUR loss but my blood boils with all this political correctness. I can’t wait for 2012.

    Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2011/02/16/obama-offers-condolences-slain-ice-agent-security-hawks-offensive-cartels/#ixzz1EDt9rwJr

    Report Post » Reynaldo  
  • Ashrak
    Posted on February 17, 2011 at 8:19am

    Unable to defend himself because government disallowed its permission for him to carry a firearm.
    OK, one can understand this because he was not in these united States. But here, we have the Second Amendment, correct?

    Guess what, Illinois government is just like Mexico. Citizens are disallowed their right to carry a firearm to protect themselves here to. As for violence, see Chicago. Interesting isn’t it that Chicago is where the heaviest restrictions on firearms, even ownership, exist.

    How can it be that Illinois stands alone as the only state in the country where it is impossible for Citizens to exercise their Second Amendment recognized right? How come we will see this story in media, but not the same kind of story for someone who is killed, because they are left defenseless by an American government? We Illinoisans need our fellow Americans to come to our aid just like ICE needs all Americans to come to their aid. We are all in the same boat here and we have to learn how to stand together – most especially where our rights are concerned.

    Must we walk like an Egyptian in order for government, especially Illinois state government to stop violating our rights with impunity?

    Report Post » Ashrak  
  • rabblechat
    Posted on February 17, 2011 at 8:03am

    Its insane that they went unarmed. Mexico is every bit as dangerous as Afghanistan or Iraq. Shame on ICE for putting these guys in without self protection, and shame on the Mexican government for not providing adequate security!

    http://www.rabblechat.com

    Report Post » rabblechat  
  • scout n ambush
    Posted on February 17, 2011 at 3:24am

    This is just almost unbelievable why and how could they have allowed them to go unarmed and i mean the U.S & Mexican gov’t with so many murders and so little mexican police .4 u.s marshals were shot and 1 killed in elkins wv on wed cops got it bad all over .I think i have had enough bad news for one day my eyes are getting blurry from being at the computer too long .

    Report Post » scout n ambush  
    • lionslayer44
      Posted on February 17, 2011 at 3:38am

      get all Americans out of mexico. shut down nafta and tell the mexican govt. until they get a hold on the cartels we wont provide anymore money. also get their citizens illegal and legal out of the U.S. open up california to grow our crops instead of buying them from mexico. at the same time put 6000 troops or an American civilian army and protect the border. i dont think it would be too difficult to find enough Americans to volunteer. im sure Az. alone would provide enough civilian soldiers. if the govt gave a cr@p they would already have black ops there assassinating cartel leaders. be prepared!! collect food, water, ammo, GOD BLESS AMERICA

      Report Post » lionslayer44  
  • Robert-CA
    Posted on February 17, 2011 at 3:10am

    Big mistake to be unarmed in a place full with armed violence .

    Report Post » Robert-CA  
    • Ironmaan
      Posted on February 17, 2011 at 5:19am

      Yes it is crazy. I carry where ever I am, even if I don‘t have a carry permit for the state I’m in.
      It’s better to be judged by 12 than carried by 6.
      http://guerillatics.com

      Report Post »  
  • scout n ambush
    Posted on February 17, 2011 at 3:08am

    Why were they not armed or are they not allowed to carry in mexico this story leaves one with more questions every time they come out with more details,

    Report Post » scout n ambush  
    • scout n ambush
      Posted on February 17, 2011 at 3:12am

      I guess they should change the law.i missed that oops,

      Report Post » scout n ambush  
    • BMartin1776
      Posted on February 17, 2011 at 4:23am

      If anyone from DHS, DOJ, DEA, LE military whatever who normally carry weapons in the US are going over to Mexico to help with the drug war they should be armed… this is INSANE.

      Its time, its time to shut the border down, time to unleash the military on it. Whether some want to admit it or not the US is under siege/ invasion btwn the illegals and the drug runners. Congress, our military, LE all took an oath to defend this country yet the bureaucrats in DC constantly send them into a fight with both arms tied behind their back and a ball and chain around their ankles. We got Big Sis saying everything is fine while you can pilot an aircraft carrier across the border and no one would even know.

      “the Mexican government does not authorize U.S. law enforcement working in Mexico to carry weapons.”
      But they come across our border armed? CAUGHT ON VIDEO: POSSIBLE MEXICAN MILITARY INCURSION ON U.S. SOIL? http://tinyurl.com/4hucop8

      What is going on anymore??? I swear its crazy town in the US with article after article of lunacy!! Rome is burning to the ground as Nero is throwing gasoline into the fire and Marie Antoinette is saying to “let them eat cake!”!!

      Liberties Lost, Death of the Republic? How Much Is Enough?
      http://youtu.be/C1zkGZRfj24

      Report Post » BMartin1776  
    • spikebu
      Posted on February 17, 2011 at 4:29am

      Why were the Mexican Military armed when they came across our border and searched a vehicle? One that was headed towards them? What were they looking for? Did they find it? Why not wait for the vehicle at the Mexican border, where it was headed? It must have been something big. They drove a military vehicle, loaded with heavily armed soldiers, within 1 mile of the US checkpoint. That’s at least 2 miles into US territory. Why’d they need to risk that with a vehicle that was coming to them? Why not wait for them at the border? They’d already passed US Border. Doesn’t make sense. I can see the anomalies, but I can’t think like a criminal. I don’t get it!

      Report Post »  
    • Jackers
      Posted on February 17, 2011 at 7:16am

      It’s time to shut down our southern border and let Mexico fight her own problems…

      Why is it that our Federal Government always respects the borders and sovereignty of every country in the world but ours? Why must we be a wide-open Free for All for every Third-World invader?

      It’s time that our government shows a little respect for our borders, our sovereignty, and our safety and security…

      Report Post » Jackers  
    • grandmaof5
      Posted on February 17, 2011 at 9:00am

      Don’t we have some heat seeking missiles to take care of these cartels? Or how about the ones that go through rocks into tunnels? It is obvious that Mexico is unable to control these cartels, Obama isn’t going to do anything about the border, so that doesn’t leave many choices for the citizens on either side of the border.

      Report Post »  
    • rappini
      Posted on February 17, 2011 at 9:34am

      We aren‘t going to do anything because it’s election season and there are approx 12million votes in the U.S.

      Report Post » rappini  

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