Mexico Accuses Nicaraguan Diplomat of Failed Human Smuggling Attempt

A Nicaraguan diplomat is under investigation in Mexico in connection with a failed human smuggling attempt. Immigration authorities turned the consular official over to federal prosecutors, alleging diplomatic immunity does not apply in her case.

The arrest took place on Sunday morning in the southern state of Oaxaca at an immigration checkpoint, Mexico’s National Immigration Institute revealed in a prepared statement. According to authorities, Socorro Fuentes Gonzalez was driving a black automobile with three passengers. The vehicle had consular license plates when she was stopped.

In recent days, Mexico deployed a large number of Federal Police and national guard to assist immigration authorities in an attempt to stem the flow of migrants and asylum seekers making their way to the U.S. border. Part of the strategy led to various checkpoints being set up in southern parts of the country.

During the inspection, authorities determined the three passengers, two men and a woman, were Cuban nationals who entered Mexico illegally. At the time of the inspection, Socorro identified herself as a consular employee from Nicaragua and became an accredited diplomat in 2013, according to Mexican authorities. Authorities also revealed that Socorro had an expired visa but remained the Nicaraguan Consul in Tapachula, Chiapas. The Cuban nationals were detained pending further immigration proceedings while the diplomat was turned over to Mexico’s Attorney General’s Office (FGR).

Ildefonso Ortiz is an award-winning journalist with Breitbart Border / Cartel Chronicles. He co-founded the Cartel Chronicles project with Brandon Darby and senior Breitbart management. You can follow him on Twitter and on Facebook. He can be contacted at Iortiz@breitbart.com. 

Brandon Darby is the managing director and editor-in-chief of Breitbart Border / Cartel Chronicles. He co-founded the Cartel Chronicles project with Ildefonso Ortiz and senior Breitbart management. Follow him on Twitter and Facebook. He can be contacted at bdarby@breitbart.com.