GUNFIRE, CARJACKING: MEXICAN FEDERAL WORKERS

UNCLAS NUEVO LAREDO 000203 WASHINGTON FOR DS/IP/WHA. MEXICO CITY FOR RSO, ACS, MCCA E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ASEC CASC MX SUBJECT: GUNFIRE, CARJACKING: MEXICAN FEDERAL WORKERS ASSAULTED/KIDNAPPED IN NUEVO LAREDO ¶1. Early in the afternoon of August 12, a few blocks from the Consulate General, assailants opened fire on a Chevy Suburban carrying four employees of Mexico's Secretariat of Communications and Transportation (SCT). The assailants succeeded in bringing the Suburban to a stop, with the Suburban running into a light pole. The Suburban was found with numerous bullet holes in the windows and doors, and with damage suggesting it had been shoved off the road by another vehicle. The assailants' vehicle also was disabled during the incident, leading to an immediate carjacking of a functioning vehicle. The victim of the carjacking reported that the assailants carried four "limp" bodies from the Suburban into the carjacked vehicle. Police are investigating. There are no arrests reported yet. ¶2. Comment: The SCT is responsible for the regulation of highways and commercial transport. Based on the style of attack (brutal, daylight, well-traveled part of the city, showing little concern at being stopped by law enforcement),it is believed the drug cartels may have been involved but this has not yet been confirmed. This is the first known attack on an SCT vehicle or personnel in this area. Although all reports indicate that this is an isolated incident, it may indicate a possible change in the current security situation in Nuevo Laredo. SHEA