Mexico: Calls to Get Tough

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The always touchy relations between the U.S. and Mexico took an acrimonious turn last week. At issue was the alleged Mexican kidnaping and torture two weeks ago of Victor Cortez Jr., a Drug Enforcement Administration agent.

Mexican authorities insist that Cortez was merely held briefly for questioning. But Cortez told a Tucson news conference last week that he probably would have been killed if DEA agents in Guadalajara had not forced his release. Cortez, who claimed he was beaten and had chili juice and carbonated water forced into his nose, said a captor told him, "If you think this is bad, wait until we get you out into the country, and you'll see what Camarena went through." The reference was to DEA Agent Enrique Camarena Salazar, who was kidnaped and murdered in 1985. The Jalisco state police unit that detained Cortez was involved in the Camarena case.

The Cortez controversy is souring ties that were seemingly improved by the Washington meeting two weeks ago between Mexican President Miguel de la Madrid Hurtado and Ronald Reagan. U.S. officials last week called on the "highest levels of the Mexican government" to investigate. Mexican Attorney General Garcia Ramirez is probing the Cortez incident and has promised to issue a report.