Mexican Pirates On Falcon Lake

Falcon Lake in Texas has a little pirate problem. Boaters that cross over to the Mexican side of the lake have encountered armed gadget stealing "pirates".

From the San Antonio news story:

"If you go too far across the lake and past the international boundary bouy, you are in Mexican territory and subject to attacks by pirates toting assault weapons.

"It is unsafe in Mexico. Don't go to Mexico," warned Game Warden Capt. Fernando Cervantes. "We can not cross over onto that side. If a boat goes across, that's it. We stop there at the line."

One man fishing on the lake Thursday, Lucas Garza, said he'd be staying away from the boundary. "We're not planning on going to that side," he said. "We just know there's no good news on that side." He and his friends have heard the warnings about Zeta cartel pirates ambushing boats on the Mexican side, operating with virtual impunity as they steal cash and electronics at machine gun-point."

What's really interesting about this is to see the different ways that people are responding to the story.

Comments from the San Antonio news site:

"If we don't secure are borders real soon it is going to be too late! A couple of helicopter gunships could clean up this mess. Just don't ask for any I.D.'s. We wouldn't want to offend."

"This is a great reason to endorse open carry laws here in Texas. You have a right to protect yourself."

"Arrrrr! Gather around Maties ! Belay that passive attitude and load the 12 pound guns ! We will toast them tacos and rip out their hearts before their fading eyes!"

Comments from BoingBoing.net where I first saw the story:

"The unstated assumption is that Americans are entitled to cross this border freely, but I don't think this is really the case. If the pirates weren't making Americans afraid to cross the border illegally, the Americans would be fishing in Mexican waters. Isn't that like poaching?"

"It would be interesting to see what the reaction would be if the situation were reversed, with armed bands of Americans waiting for Mexicans to cross the border."

It is also interesting to note that the story seems to kind of gloss over the fact that Texas boaters are crossing over into Mexican waters, presumably without passports or permission, which is a whole other can of worms, obviously.

Video here on BoingBoing.net

Comments

[Matt Allen]

I've been following this story as well... just crazy! To touch on the border crossing issue I understand that you pay a $100 fee to get access to the Mexico side of the lake. These fisherman are fishing legally and being ambushed by cartels posing as Mexican law enforcement.