"Gunwalking" scandal final straw leading to resignation of U.S. ambassador to Mexico

By: Sharyl Attkisson
Topics: News

(Credit: ALFREDO ESTRELLA/AFP/Getty Images)

The U.S. ambassador to Mexico, Carlos Pascual, has resigned under pressure.

In recent weeks, Mexico's President Felipe Calderon has said in public he doesn't trust Pascual (seen at left). Several sources close to diplomatic circles inside Mexico tell CBS News that from Mexico's viewpoint, the ATF "gunwalking" scandal was the final straw in a series of controversies.

First, Pascual has been dating the daughter of a mistrusted and alleged cartel-linked opposition legislator.

Second, Pascual's critical views of Mexico in secret U.S. diplomatic cables were leaked on WikiLeaks several weeks ago. In one cable, Pascual said Mexico had turned a blind eye to U.S. leads on how to capture drug lords.

More recently, Mexico has demanded information from the U.S. on the ATF controversy revealed by CBS News, in which ATF agents allegedly allowed thousands of weapons to cross the border, supposedly in a failed attempt to gain intelligence to take down a major drug cartel. Some Mexican legislators have publicly said ATF agents who crafted and carried out the strategy could be extradited to Mexico and arrested. The legislators quote ATF agent John Dodson, as interviewed in our report.

Published reports, including one in the Miami Herald, quote the White House as recently having said U.S. officials thought the tiffs would blow over.

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All of Sharyl Attkisson's gunwalking reports, blogs, and videos can be found in one place at: cbsnews.com/sharylattkisson

Sharyl Attkisson
Sharyl Attkisson is a CBS News investigative correspondent based in Washington. All of her stories, videos and blogs are available here.
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by Ole76er March 26, 2011 2:28 PM EDT: @mokkie98:

I believe you neglected to include the Head Honcho - President Barrack Obama. As Thug in Chief, he is ultimately responsible for everything.
Obama should consider resigning! I find his responsibility in this matter is equal to or might even exceed that in the Nixon Watergate scandal. At least under Nixon, no Americans were killed.; Reply to this comment


by JimM254 March 24, 2011 4:15 PM EDT: Hey now, Sharyl Attkisson only reported what has been out there in the gun circle for quite some time.

Google Project GunWalker

I admit I haven't watched or read all the CBS coverage regarding this, guess that comes from the BS that the main stream media tries to report as truth regardig firearms, but what I have seen and read I have yet to see Mike Vanderboegh or David Codreas name anywhere.; Reply to this comment


by redbeachvn March 21, 2011 9:51 PM EDT: How do we know they were not control by the Cartel?; Reply to this comment


by jcg573 March 20, 2011 7:18 PM EDT: Thank you Sharyl Attkisson for bringing this to light. The ATF is out of control and should be de-funded.; Reply to this comment


by mokkie98 March 20, 2011 5:26 PM EDT: I think it is time for the DOJ, ATF, DEA, DHS, to stand accountable for their part in this scandal.; Reply to this comment