Enrique Peña Nieto on Egypt
TL;DR
Enrique Peña Nieto strongly demanded a swift, transparent investigation and compensation following the mistaken killing of Mexican tourists by Egyptian forces.
Key Points
He ordered the Foreign Minister to Egypt following the September 2015 attack that killed eight Mexican tourists.
He spoke with the Egyptian President, Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi, who offered his condolences over the tragic incident.
His government assured victims and families that it would accompany them in the legal process to obtain compensation.
Summary
Enrique Peña Nieto expressed deep dismay and outrage following the September 2015 incident where Egyptian security forces mistakenly attacked a Mexican tourist convoy in the Western Desert, resulting in the confirmed deaths of eight Mexican citizens and wounding six others. His immediate reaction, conveyed via a phone call to the Egyptian President, emphasized the pain and outrage felt by Mexican society over the "unprecedented events." The President subsequently dispatched his Foreign Minister, Claudia Ruiz Massieu, to Cairo with a clear mandate: to prioritize being at the side of the injured survivors and to secure the repatriation of the deceased, while simultaneously pushing for a clear accounting of how the error occurred.
Following the incident, the Mexican government, under his leadership, categorized the event as an "unjustified aggression" and made clear its commitment to supporting the victims and their families throughout the legal process to obtain compensation from Egypt, referencing international rights. This firm stance contrasted with initial conflicting reports from Egyptian authorities regarding the convoy's permits and presence in the restricted zone, prompting Mexico's sustained demand for a thorough and transparent inquiry led by the highest levels of the Egyptian government to establish responsibility. Furthermore, the government issued a travel advisory recommending that Mexican citizens reconsider or postpone travel to Egypt due to security instability.
Key Quotes
"accompany them in this legal process"
"outrage"
"To all their relatives and loved ones, I give them my solidarity in these difficult moments"
Frequently Asked Questions
Enrique Peña Nieto expressed deep dismay and outrage upon learning of the mistaken military strike that killed eight Mexican tourists in Egypt in September 2015. He personally conveyed these feelings to his Egyptian counterpart via a phone call. He also mandated that his foreign minister travel to Egypt to support the victims and demand answers.
Yes, the Mexican government under his leadership made it clear that securing compensation for the injured and the families of the deceased was a priority. He assured the wounded upon their return that his administration would support them in the legal process to achieve this goal. This was framed as part of seeking accountability for the 'unjustified aggression.'
Following the tragic incident, the Mexican foreign ministry, under his direction, issued a travel advisory recommending that Mexican citizens reconsider or postpone their travel plans to Egypt. This reflected a shift toward increased caution due to the security instability and the recent actions by the armed forces.
Sources5
Mexico demands "transparent" investigation into Egyptian military attack on tourists
Wounded Come Home as Mexico Demands Egypt Compensation
Mexico leader 'outraged' as eight citizens dead in Egypt - Politics - Egypt - Ahram Online
Mexico says 8 citizens died in Egypt desert attack
Mexico demands answers from Egypt after 8 tourists killed
* This is not an exhaustive list of sources.