Armed Mexican Soldiers Unintentionally Enter U.S. Territory, Surround Volunteers
In a surprising incident, a contingent of over a dozen heavily armed Mexican soldiers inadvertently crossed into New Mexico while pursuing drug smugglers and gun traffickers, only to encounter two American volunteers searching for missing migrants on Monday.
The two volunteers, Abbey Carpenter and James Holeman, are associated with the humanitarian organization Battalion Search and Rescue, dedicated to assisting individuals lost in the southern New Mexico desert. They encountered the 18 bewildered Mexican soldiers during their search efforts, as reported by local news.
The soldiers were unaware that they had crossed into American territory. They informed Carpenter and Holeman of their mission to find traffickers and inquired as to why the volunteers were in Mexico.
In response, Carpenter used her phone to display GPS coordinates, which confirmed their presence in the U.S. "I never felt threatened," she stated. "However, I was apprehensive when I realized we were documenting their presence on U.S. soil."
After recognizing their mistake in navigation, the soldiers quickly redirected themselves toward the border, according to Carpenter.
In that region of New Mexico, the border is poorly marked, indicated only by a basic wire fence that can be easily opened, as noted by Holeman. “We were taking it lightly and joking around,” Holeman remarked. “But the thought of encountering them in Mexico would have made the situation feel different. I won’t deny I was nervous."
To ensure safety, Carpenter recorded the interaction, capturing several videos, one of which depicted the armed soldiers monitoring the area from a white truck marked “Guardia Nacional.” Their uniforms showcased badges featuring the Mexican flag alongside various military insignia.
Earlier in their search, the pair also noticed two vehicles with Mexican license plates that were heavily damaged by gunfire situated near the border.
For many migrants, the final leg through U.S. deserts is often fraught with peril, though the presence of Mexican soldiers along the border is increasingly common. In February, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum announced the deployment of 10,000 National Guard troops to the border aimed at addressing issues related to illegal migration and drug trafficking.
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