On Wednesday, Mexico’s government doubled down on its assertion that the mass shooting that took place in El Paso, Texas, on the 3rd of August was an act of terrorism against Mexicans. They further urge the United States to ensure the attack was designated as such.
Mexico: This is an Act of Terrorism
After meetings last Tuesday between Mexican and U.S officials about the heinous incident, Mexican Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard spoke in a regular government news conference that this is the moment to establish the steps that are needed to be taken to prevent future killings.
“It’s very important to persevere, to specify, clarify and demand that measures are taken so that this is not repeated, and the first measure is to classify it for what it is, an act of terrorism that seeks to take Mexican lives.”
Ebrad acknowledges that there will be people who will not agree with the label, but from the evidence garnered the shooter was definitely targeting Mexicans.
“There will be those who say, ‘No, no, no, this isn’t terrorism, it’s just one person. Well, it needs to be said that the man who carried out this despicable, abominable and appalling act is part of a network, but he also uploaded a manifesto to the network. What he says is terrible, but it’s not that he’s mad; he is in possession of his faculties.”
Twenty-two people are dead in the tragic incident, including eight Mexican citizens. This mass shooting was something Mexico was quick to investigate as a terrorist attack.
As part of the evidence, a four-page manifesto is believed to have been written by suspected shooter, Patrick Crusius, as “a response to the Hispanic invasion of Texas.” In addition, according to El Paso police affidavit that was recently released confirmed that the prospective shooter did indeed target Mexicans.
Mexico has also said that it may request that the perpetrator be extradited to Mexico for his trial.
“We’re going to ask for this person be judged here, too. We’re going to ask for his extradition and the full weight of the law will be felt. We don’t want this to happen again. We don’t want these hate crimes.”
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