U.S. Agent Killed in Mexico - Updated



ICE Special Agent Jaime Zapata
(Brownsville, Texas) Earlier today, hundreds attended the funeral mass of Jaime Zapata, the ICE Special Agent murdered last week by gunmen on the highway in the state of San Luis Potosi in Mexico.

Presiding over the service was Bishop Daniel Flores and members of the Obama administration spoke.

Department of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano spoke of Special Agent Zapata's courage and commitment to the job and vowed to bring those responsible for his death to justice.

"This much is clear we will not relent or flint or let up in any way in our determination to see that those responsible for his death are held to account for their crimes," said Napolitano.

Attorney General Eric Holder and ICE Director John Morton also spoke.

Holder called Zapata a hero and "a man who's acts of valor are a testament to what is best about our country and our national international law enforcement community.

Meanwhile, a possible suspect has emerged.

Jesús "El Mamito" Rejón, a former corporal in Mexico's elite forces who became a top leader in the violent Zeta cartel is one of the people the U.S. believes may have been involved in the killing of Mr. Zapata last week.

Currently, the U.S. is offering a $5 million reward for information leading to Rejón's capture. Mexico offers $2.3 million reward for Mr. Rejón.

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U.S. Agent Killed in Mexico
[Previous 2/16/11 post]
(Mexico City, Mexico) Two agents with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) were ambushed yesterday while driving through central Mexico. One special agent was shot dead while the other received gunshot wounds to his arm and leg.

The deadly attack prompted U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano to express strident resolve:

"Let me be clear: Any act of violence against our ICE personnel — or any [Department of Homeland Security] personnel — is an attack against all those who serve our nation and put their lives at risk for our safety," she said in a statement.

"We remain committed in our broader support for Mexico's efforts to combat violence within its borders."

Seems clear to me. Secretary Napolitano will seek justice by talking.