U.S. federal officials address ICE shooting in Mexico, discuss anti-cartel Merida Initiative

February 16, 2011 11:40 PM
By JARED TAYLOR AND JARED JANES, The Monitor

McALLEN — A pair of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement special agents had met with other fellow agents along a Mexican highway before encountering a Zetas drug cartel checkpoint and falling under attack.

The Mexico City-based ICE special agents had met with fellow agents along Highway 57 in the central Mexican state of San Luis Potosi to drop off equipment, said Alonso Peña, the recently retired deputy ICE director, who has been briefed on the situation.

After the drop-off, the agents were headed back toward Mexico City when they encountered the cartel checkpoint along the highway, Peña said. After identifying themselves inside their armored Chevrolet Suburban with U.S. diplomatic plates, a gunman fired several shots from an assault rifle, hitting both men.

Killed was Special Agent Jaime Zapata, a Brownsville native who was behind the wheel of the SUV, Peña said. The other agent was shot twice in the leg, ICE officials have said without disclosing his name.

After the attack, the cartel gunmen — believed to be associated with the Zetas — quickly dismantled the checkpoint and fled the scene. The surviving agent called Mexican authorities to the scene.

The Associated Press reported Wednesday the surviving special agent is Victor Avila, quoting unnamed U.S. sources. Law enforcement sources told The Monitor late Tuesday his name was Jaime Avila.

Both men were assigned to the ICE attaché office at the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City.

“I can tell you that the Mexican government is working very hard to try and identify those responsible,â€