Video of apparent execution a problem for Mexican government
MEXICO CITY (AP) – The apparent execution of a wounded fuel theft suspect by a Mexican soldier caught on video has provided graphic evidence of a long-suspected practice and put the government in an awkward spot as it tries to pass a security law critics say could shield troops.
Outrage at the surveillance camera video posted by media this week was swift from human rights groups, which claimed it provided rare evidence of an extrajudicial execution by security forces. But President Enrique Pena Nieto has limited his public comments to saying there should be an investigation.
And it remains unclear how the shocking images will affect public perception of the Mexican military’s role in combating organized crime as congress’ lower chamber debates a law that Pena Nieto has said is needed to give “certainty” to the armed forces in its policing role.
Human rights groups say the proposed law would make it more difficult to hold the military accountable for its actions and already some are linking the incident seen in the video to the legislation.
“If the interior security law is approved, it is predictable that this type of situation will continue occurring,” Mexican rights group Security without War said in a statement Friday.
The video appears to show a soldier shooting a wounded man in the back of his head as he lay on the ground during a May 3 encounter between the army and gunmen defending their fuel theft business in the town of Palmarito in central Puebla state. In total, the day’s combat left dead six civilians and four soldiers.
Mexican officials have defended such military operations as necessary in the face of growing fuel theft by gangs, often linked to organized crime, which tap into gasoline and diesel pipelines. The practice costs the country $780 million to $1 billion each year, Mexico’s treasury secretary has said.
The armed forces have played a prominent role in combatting organized crime and drug cartels in Mexico for more than 20 years, and many local police forces were deemed so corrupt that they were disbanded. There is widespread support among Mexicans for the military taking over their policing duties.
Mexico’s energy resources are considered critical infrastructure, so using federal forces to protect them is considered fair game, said Erubiel Tirado, coordinator of the national security, democracy and human rights program at Iberoamericana University in Mexico City.
Tirado said human rights abuses by soldiers in such situations were foreseeable.
“In a confrontational situation or an operation against criminals or enemies, they aren’t going to look for prisoners,” he said. “They are going to kill. This is what the video shows.”