PAN and PRI Legislators approve foreign nationals to carry weapons in Mexico

Translated by Otis B Fly-Wheel for Borderland Beat from a Proceso article

An American agent in Huitzilac, Morelos after an attack in August of 2012 see link to Chivis article on this incident

Jenaro Villamil and Eduardo Miranda

With only two votes, the majority of legislators of PAN and the PRI approved reforms to the Federal Law of Firearms and Explosives, to permit agents of customs and immigration from other countries and especially the United States to carry weapons in the country.

During the brief debate in commission, the Senators Alejandro Encinas and Manuel Bartlett argued against the amendments highlighting the lack of reciprocity in American Law and the risks to nationals.

"Its a submission to US interests which we are seeing here, its really ridiculous to hear these arguments and see this initiative, that in reality is about nothing". " There is no justification for arms, not one", accused Bartlett.

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Ex-State Secretary General PAN Killed in Apatzingán

Borderland Beat

Police sources at the Michoacan State Attorney General, confirmed  Wednesday morning, they found the body of Octavio Contreras, who formerly worked  with Federal Consumer Protection in Michoacan and former also as the secretary general of the PAN.

The victim was found at the gates of City Hall, in the heart of the city of Apatzingán.  , Passers-by the gates alerted authorities to the discovery of a deceased person in the early hours of Wednesday.

Octavio Contreras, originally from Apatzingán, was a successful entrepreneur who was involved in the sale of wooden furniture.

PAN lashes authorities strongly to curb impunity after murder of Octavio Contreras
PAN state leadership condemned the act and made a strong appeal to federal and state authorities, those supposedly responsible for providing security, to seek justice for the action to achieve an end to the impunity for the wave of violence and insecurity that plagues the region Tierra Caliente and the rest of Michoacan.

PAN is appalled, disgusted and has become essentially incapacitated by such violence that has befallen the Michoacan victims. This clearly paints a picture of  the political institution, said Miguel Angel Chavez, PAN leader in the state of Michoåcan, referring to the kidnapping and subsequent execution of Octavio Contreras in Apatzingán. 

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