Veteran’s Tragic Fate in Mexico Sparks Outcry from Trump and Vance

Person waving from airplane steps.
US President Donald Trump before departing from Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland on January 12, 2021.

The tragic death of U.S. Marine veteran Nicholas Douglas Quets in Mexico has spurred an emotional response from former President Donald Trump and Senator JD Vance, stirring a call for accountability and justice.

At a Glance

  • Former President Trump and Sen. JD Vance offered support to the Quets family.
  • Nicholas Douglas Quets was killed on the Caborca-Altar Highway.
  • The family criticized the Biden-Harris administration’s lack of communication.
  • Pressure mounts for a U.S. investigation and legal action against the perpetrators.

Incident and Immediate Aftermath

Nicholas Douglas Quets, a U.S. Marine veteran, was killed on the Caborca-Altar Highway in northern Mexico on October 19. The Sonora Attorney General’s Office reported that Quets was attacked after failing to stop at an illegal checkpoint. This crime highlights ongoing security challenges in the region, posing significant risks to both locals and travelers.

The family of Nicholas Quets expressed frustration over minimal communication from the current U.S. administration. They sought an investigation and legal action within the United States, feeling disappointed by local authorities. The State Department confirmed Quets’ death, offering condolences without further comments.

Support from Trump and Vance

Both Donald Trump and JD Vance met privately with the Quets family in Arizona. These engagements were marked by sincere sympathy and support. Trump expressed genuine concern and anger over the incident, extending his readiness to assist. Vance, sharing a military background, resonated with the family’s loss and promised efforts to dismantle cartel activity.

“I did not know what to expect because he’s a TV star, billionaire, populist. He looked at me, looked at the picture of Nick. He had a tear in his eye, and said, ‘Tell me what happened.’ And he was actually angry as we told him the story…. He said, ‘Tell me what I can do for you and your family.’” – Quets’ father, retired Army Lt. Col. Warren Douglas Quets

This meeting offered a much-needed sense of acknowledgment and potential for action, reinforcing the family’s resolve to pursue justice. Trump also promised to address the matter should he be re-elected, aiming for criminal extradition and prosecution.

Family’s Intentions and Future Actions

The family of Nicholas Quets plans to apply pressure on both U.S. and Mexican governments to ensure justice. Local Mexican authorities have escalated the investigation to the federal level, but the Quets family seeks more decisive action from the U.S. They maintain hope in Trump and Vance’s leadership to navigate this complex international issue.

“A U.S. military veteran transiting Mexico was executed and four days into this and no official, outside of the consulate in Mexico, has made any effort to contact us or provide us with an update of what’s happening. What we want is an investigation and prosecution within the United States. We want the U.S. to take over the prosecution.” – Quets’ father, retired Army Lt. Col. Warren Douglas Quets

Vance has actively called for administration action and highlighted the issue’s urgency among broader cartel-related violence concerns. The pressure for accountability and justice is growing as the family mobilizes public opinion and government response.

Sources:

  1. Trump, Vance meet with family of Marine veteran killed off Mexican highway by suspected cartel members
  2. Trump, Vance meet with family of Marine veteran killed off Mexican highway by suspected cartel members
  3. Family of Marine murdered in Mexico moved by Trump meeting: ‘Tear in his eye’