May 31, 2012

Envoy: Mexicans upset over botched U.S. gunrunning scheme

By Douglas Stanglin, USA TODAY Updated 1h 15m ago

Mexico's ambassador to the United States says the botched U.S. federal gun-trafficking operation known as "Fast and Furious" has "poisoned" Mexican public opinion against the United States, USA TODAY's Kevin Johnson reports.

Arturo Sarukhan says the flawed gun operation has had "a very noxious impact" in Mexico where the weapons have helped fuel a bloody drug war.

Sarukhan, speaking at a Capitol Hill briefing to support stronger gun laws, says the operation "has created a lot of tension." He says Mexico is awaiting the outcome of a Justice Department investigation into the matter.

The program was intended to investigate gun trafficking into Mexico by clandestinely making weapons available for purchase along the border, then tracking the buyers.

However, the operation, run by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, went awry as federal authorities found they were unable to keep track of all the weapons, leaving hundreds to fall into the hands of Mexican drug gangs.

Envoy: Mexicans upset over botched U.S. gunrunning scheme