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Austin, TX – House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul released the below statement in observance of the twelve-year anniversary of the murder of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Special Agent Jaime Zapata. In 2011, members of the Mexican cartel, Los Zetas, ambushed Agent Zapata and Former Special Agent Victor Avila, who served alongside Zapata and survived the attack. Avila remains committed to seeking justice for these heinous acts of crime and accountability for the murder of Agent Zapata. 

“Twelve years have passed since Mexican cartel gunmen ambushed Special Agents Jaime Zapata and Victor Avila in Mexico. Special Agent Zapata lost his life in the line of duty and his partner was severely wounded. I proudly led the passage of The Jaime Zapata and Victor Avila Federal Law Enforcement Protection Act. The bill not only honored their service – and Special Agent Zapata’s sacrifice – but also ensures the U.S. maintains jurisdiction over criminal offenses committed against U.S. officers and employees serving abroad. Next month, two of the defendants are scheduled to be resentenced on attempted murder. I hope the families get the justice and accountability they deserve.”

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