OFFICIALS DENY DEA AGENT MISTREATED

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP98-01394R000200110008-8
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 3
• Document Creation Date: December 27, 2016
• Document Release Date: August 2, 2013
• Sequence Number: 8
• Publication Date: August 16, 1986
• Content Type: REPORT

Declassified and Approved For Release 2013/08/06: CIA-RDP98-01394R000200110008-8
VI. 18 Aug 86 M2
MEXICO--
In Santo Domingo, outgoing head of state Salvador Jorge Blanco said that Balaguer is
wrong when he said he will take over a country in shambles. Salvador JorgeBlanco
said that his efforts, especially in the economic field, overcame problems that af-
flicted the Domincan Republic when he took power in 1982.
Joaquin Balaguer, 72 years old and almost blind, will assume the Domincan Presidency
for the fifth time 16 August for a 4-year term.
Lorena Martinez is now at the international airport with a report:
[Begin relay] [Martinez] A few moments ago Foreign Relations Secretary Bernardo
SepulvedaAmor left for theDominicanRepublic to attend the inauguration of Dominican
President Joaquin Balaguer in representation of Miguel de la Madrid. Shortly before
leaving, he saidthat with the withdrawal: of the tuna embargo, the United States is
acknowledging Mexico's -sovereignty uvet_its:200 Miles Of maritime territory. He added
that the importance of handling bilateral issues on time, creating an appropriate
atmosphere to resolve problems, and ensuring a climate of trust and respect between
the two countries were stressed during President Miguel de la Madrid's recent visit to
the United States.
Finally, Sepulveda Amor announced that among the president's activities for the rest
of the year are his participation in the UN General Assembly and a probable visit to
Japan and China [not further specified]. [end relay]
?.114EFICIALS7:-DENYDEAT7AGENEMISTREATED
PA161642 Mexico City XEW Television Network in Spanish 1300 GMT 16 Aug 86
[Text] Investigations continue in the case of the U.S. DEA agent, Victor Cortes, who
allegedly was mistreated by Mexican judicial. agents. In Guadalajara, Jalisco, offi-
cials of the attorney general's office are making inquiries together with the local
authorities.
Attorney General Sergio Garcia Ramirez congratulated and obtained the collaboration of
Jalisco authorities, through Governor Enrique Alvarez del Castillo and Jalisco's
attorney general, Jaime A. Ramirez.
Commenting on the case of DEA agent Victor Cortes, the Jalisco governor said that the
arrest-of the American is such a small incident that it cannot be reason for division
between Mexico and the United States. Alvarez del Castillo added that he considers
illogical the version which statesthat the DEA agent was tortured during his 3-hour
stay in the office of the judicial police in Jalisco.
Jaime A. Ramirez, attorney general for the state of Jalisco, denied that Cortes and a
colleague were mistreated. He added that they were detained as suspects because they
were in a car whose license plates did not correspond to the number on the rear window
sticker and because they were armed and without identity documents.
The attorney added that the U.S. agents were not even taken to cells. Instead they
were in an office until personnel from the U.S. Consulate arrived 90 minutes later.
Declassified and Approved For Release 2013/08/06: CIA-RDP98-01394R000200110008-8
Declassified and Approved For Release 2013/08/06: CIA-RDP98-01394R000200110008-8
VI. 18 Aug 86
?M 3 MEXICO
The Jalisco attorney ended by saying that once the identity_ f the agents was estab-
lished, both were set free, and neither was tortured.
Meanwhile, in Washington, U.S. Attorney General Edwin Meese was confident that
Mexican authorities would clarify the situation and take appropriate steps to prevent
similar incidents.
U.S. Protests Incident
PA160356 Mexico City Red Nacional 13 ImevisiOn Television in Spanish 1955 GMT 15 Aug 86
[Text] As a result of the incident that occurred in Guadalajara a few [days ago between
a U.S. antinarcotics agent and Mexican policemen, the U.S. Government presented a pro-
test note today to the Mexican Government. The-presentation'Of the protest note was
announced by White House spokesman Larry Speakes, who describedthe incident as
particularly unfortunate. According to Speakes, the incident involved Drug Enforcement
Agency agent Victor Cortes, who reported presumectoutrages by the Mexican police.
Cortes is now in Tucson, Arizona, The Mexican attorney general's office has reported
that the incident is being closely scrutinized. In Guadaljara, however, the Jalisco
attorney of justice Jaime Ramirez had denied that policemen abused Cortes.
CHURCH URGES ANNULMENT OF CHIHUAHUA ELECTIONS
PA180227 Mexico City EL UNIVERSAL in Spanish 15 Aug 86 p 11
[Text] For the church, the case of Chihuahua is not finished. "We feel that the best
thing to do in order to have peace, is to annul the elections and to agree to hold new
elections in which the will of the majority will be expressed without any pressure or
obstacle."
The archbishop of Chihuahua, Adalberto Almeida y Merino; Manuel Talamas Camandari,
bishob of Ciudad Juarez; and Jose Llaguno Farias, bishop of Tarahumara, announced this
in "A Moral Examination of the Electoral Process," addressed to the people of Mexico
and issued yesterday by Francisco Ramirez Meza, secretary of the Social Communications
Commission.
They say that When the validity of an election is opposed by a general protest, the
election is self-defeating "because it no longer represents ..the people's legitimate.
will." In addition, the bishops from Chihuahua State's Most important cities say the
elections have left doubts about the legitimacy of the authorities elected. "Any per-
son who takes office under such conditions will face serious problems in carrying out
his duties, unless he imposes his will by force, which by all_means is contrary to our
democratic principles," they said.
Therefore, they add, by annulling the elections, the regime would give firm evidence
of its desire to respect the people's vote, and this could help to bring much needed
peace and tranquillity to Chihuahua.
Declassified and Approved For Release 2013/08/06: CIA-RDP98-01394R000200110008-8
Declassified and Approved For Release 2013/08/06: CIA-RDP98-01394R000200110008-8
VI. 18 Aug 86
M 4 MEXICO
On previous occasions the church officials did not receive any support, even from
Chihuahua's Jesuit community. This time. Monsignor Almeida received a communique in,
which the Jesuit community is offering its support and will participate in the actions
to obtain peace and justice,
PAN Continues Election Protests
PA171600 Mexico City THE NEWS in English 13 Aug 86 p 6
[By THE NEWS staff reporter Glenn Whitney]
[Excerpts] Members of the National Action Party (PAN) will move toward increasingly
radical acts of civil disobedience until the results of the July 6 Chihuahua elections
are annulled, a top party official said Tuesday,
Jesus Gonzalez Schmall, the PAWs congressional leader, said, "We will begin to radical-
ize our actions to defend democracy,"
In a news conference heldat the Legislative Palace, Gonzalez Schmall also announced
plans to bring the annulment request to the Supreme Court. . He was not optimistic,about
the success of a court fight to annul the elections, however, because the officials
of the tribunal are nominated by the government, which is dominated by the Institutional
Revolutionary Party. There is: little chance for ..a. decision In favor of the PAN, he _
said. [passage omitted]
Gonzalez Schmall rejected the idea that many members of his party might turn to absten-
tion from voting to protest the electoral process. "I realize that it might seem il-
logical and absurd to continue to participate in an antidemocratic system,",he:said,
"but I think the PAN must persist in its policy of. exercising all resources to bring
about change in the system, "Our participation has made it possible to reveal to the
people that this is not a.democratic government,," he said, "Only through active par-
ticipation do we have a chance to make our voices heard.. Through our efforts, there
is nobody in Mexico or outside who thinks that this is a democratic government,",
[passage omitted]
The PAN leader announced that the protest group headed by Chihuahua City Mayor Luis
H. Alvarez arrived from Chihuahua to the city of Queretaro. This group will continue
to speak against the "electoral injustices committed in Chihuahua," he said. He said
the hunger strikes of Alvarez as well as those of Manuel Oropeza and Francisco
Villarreal were effective in bringing about a greater public knowledge of what he
termed "grave incidents of electoral fraud."
Gonzalez Schmall said according to Alvarez there are many citizens in the state of
Chihuahua who believe fraud occurred in the. elections and that the official results do
not reveal the true wishes of the people. The government to be installed will not be
accepted by the people of Chihuahua, he said,. "The end of the hunger strike does not
signify there is an end to the fight," he said. "There are plans to continue the fight
with greater vigor and energy," 'passage omitted]
Declassified and Approved For Release 2013/08/06: CIA-RDP98-01394R000200110008-8