Veterans of Foreign Wars: Boycott Mexico Until Marine Released

Veterans of Foreign Wars: Boycott Mexico Until Marine Released

On Wednesday, the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States called for Americans to boycott Mexico and Mexican products until Mexico releases U.S. Marine Sgt. Andrew Tahmooressi, who has been imprisoned since accidentally crossing the border on March 31 with firearms. 

VFW National Commander William A. Thien said the group wants to take the gloves off to start a dialogue. The VFW, which is America’s oldest and largest major combat veterans’ organization, emphasized that it “tried the politically polite route by twice asking President Obama to contact Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto, but a phone call specifically about the Marine sergeant never took place.”

“This combat Marine has been languishing away since he was arrested March 31 for allegedly crossing the border accidentally with three personal firearms that were legally registered in the States but not in Mexico,” Thien said.”It was a mistake, but so is the Mexican government’s reluctance to release him unharmed back to the U.S.”

The VFW thinks applying “economic pressure to the Mexican government” can bring Sgt. Tahmooressi back home.

“This is about politics, and if my government won’t do anything, then I guess we need to let the power of the purse take over. No products, no travel, a total boycott… then maybe a dialogue will start,” Thien said.

Fox News host Greta Van Susteren has been relentlessly reporting on Tahmooressi and former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin has mentioned that its seems like Sgt. Tahmooressi is the only person President Barack Obama does not want to cross the border. 

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