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 / Modified jul 23, 2018 10:58 a.m.

Arpaio Calls Off Mexico Visit After Alleged Cartel Threats

A press release said he had a $10,000 price on his head, though Nogales officials said they'd heard of no threat and that the campaign hadn't contacted city government. by Murphy Woodhouse, Fronteras Desk

Arpaio hero Former Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio in August 2016.
Gage Skidmore via Wikimedia Commons

Former Maricopa County Sheriff and Republican U.S. Senate candidate Joe Arpaio called off a planned visit to Mexico Wednesday, citing alleged threats from an unspecified drug cartel. However, Nogales, Sonora officials were in the dark about the visit.

Arpaio said he had planned to meet with local officials to discuss drug smuggling and immigration, but he declined to specify whom.

“For security reasons, I’m not giving the names, but let’s just say Mexican officials,” he told KJZZ’s Fronteras Desk.

A campaign release claimed that there was a $10,000 award offered to anyone who could locate Arpaio during his visit, allowing the unnamed criminal organization to capture him. The leader of Arpaio’s security team told the Fronteras Desk that the information came from tips. He also said he was told the visit would have been a “suicide mission.”

However, two high-ranking Nogales, Sonora, officials — including the public safety commissar — had no knowledge of Arpaio’s planned visit. Mayor Temo Galindo also called the threats into question, saying Nogales is a generally calm place.

“Nobody from (Arpaio's) office has made contact with city government,” he said in written comments, adding that he had no knowledge of any foreign official ever being threatened when visiting the city.

Fronteras Desk
This story is from the Fronteras Desk, a collaboration of Southwestern public radio stations, including NPR 89.1. Read more from the Fronteras Desk.
MORE: Election 2018, Elections - National, Fronteras Desk, Mexico, News
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