Wed, Nov 16, 2011
Weekend Poll Shows Mexican Citizens Skeptical Of Blame On
Weather
Official government statements about Friday's crash of an AS332
Super Puma helicopter (similar aircraft pictured) near Mexico City,
which killed the nation's Interior Minister Francisco Blake Mora
and seven others, suggested the tragedy might have had to do with
bad weather. Some Mexican citizens are skeptical, instead
suspecting action by drug cartels. Now, news has surfaced that
there may have been issues with maintenance performed after the
aircraft exhibited problems two days before the accident.
Hiram Fernando Escobar told the El Universal newspaper that his
brother Pedro Ramon Escobar, the co-pilot who was among those
killed in the crash, told him the helicopter spent one day being
repaired in the presidential hangar before flying again on Friday,
saying, "My brother told me on Wednesday that helicopter is not OK
and it was failing on the way back from Colima."
The preliminary investigation has disclosed only that the
helicopter ran into a hillside after encountering thick fog. A poll
published by the Milenio newspaper indicates that while 43 percent
believe the crash was an accident as stated by the government, 36
percent of respondents believe it was result of an attack by drug
lords.
Interior Minister Francisco Blake Mora was considered the
second-in-command in the national government, and had a high
profile in helping President Felipe Calderon in the country's fight
against powerful drug cartels.
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