Mexican Congressman David Figueroa is not sticking around to see if “three’s a charm.” Because in this instance, the lucky number three would be for his would-be assassins who finally scored after two attempts on his life.
Cartel members who once targeted mainly competitors and members of law enforcement now routinely threaten government officials as well, particularly those close to President Felipe Calderón, who has become a thorn in their side as he continues his war on drugs.
And, as an emerging heavyweight in Calderón’s administration, Figueroa is right in their crosshairs. He first took on the drug traffickers as mayor of Agua Prieta, a border town across from Douglas, AZ. He headed Calderón’s 2006 presidential campaign in Sonora. He was running for election as governor of the state when federal intelligence officials told him they learned he was targeted for a third assassination attempt soon.
Figueroa is alive only because, incredibly, his would-be assassins twice botched killing him. Almost two years ago, shooters fired 25 bullets into the car in which he was riding outside the city of Toluca, near Mexico City. He survived that attempt with injuries to his legs.
Then last October, near Mexico’s World Trade Center building, a man dressed in a business suit called out "Congressman," then opened fire when Figueroa turned to look. This time he survived only because the shooter had a bad aim and missed him.
But Figueroa is not gambling that the next attempt will fail. He dropped out of the governor’s race, saying he wanted to spend more time with his family, then last week surfaced in San Jose, California, where he was confirmed as Mexico’s new consul general.
"These cartel leaders are starting to feel the pain, and the natural response is to up the ante in terms of violence," said a U.S. law-enforcement official.
"They send a clear message," Figueroa said. The cartels strike "whenever they want."
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