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(Image source: Wikimedia Commons / Obama-Biden Transition Project)
BY ALEX MALLIN
New documents leaked by whistleblower Edward Snowden could complicate relations between
the U.S. and Mexico. Among them is evidence the National Security Agency hacked into former
Mexican President Felipe Calderón's official email account.
Der Spiegel reports a division of the NSA called "Tailored Access Operations" secretly
targeted Mexican government officials for years.
It was part of an operation called "Flat liquid," and the overarching goal was reportedly to
gain insights on the country's policymaking and political system. (Via The White House)
Snowden's leaks show in 2010 the division reported a status of "mission accomplished,"
noting it had supposedly been successful at hacking into a mail server of the Mexican
presidency's domain. (Via The Guardian)
Calderón worked more closely with the U.S. than almost any other Mexican president before
him. The new details could strain what was once considered a healthy diplomatic relationship.
(Via Voice of America)
But it doesn't end there. The documents show the NSA also intercepted more than 85,000
text messages exchanged between Mexico's government officials in June of 2012.
Current Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto and nine of his closest associates were among
the most notable targets. Nieto spoke with the U.S. ambassador following revelations
in September that the NSA conducted spying operations on him. (Via PBS)
But these new documents are more specific and even provide reasoning behind the spying.
The documents also reveal a system of prioritizing spying efforts at the NSA. The greatest emphasis
was apparently placed on monitoring Mexico's drug trade, political leadership, economic
stability and trade relations. And the president's office was labeled as a "lucrative source."
In response to all this, the NSA has released a statement saying: "As a matter of policy
we have made clear that the United States gathers foreign intelligence of the type gathered
by all nations. ... We've begun to review the way that we gather intelligence, so that
we properly balance the legitimate security concerns of our citizens and allies with the
privacy concerns that all people share." (Via The Verge)
The Mexican government has not yet come forward with its response, but it did send an email
to Germany's Der Spiegel condemning any form of espionage on Mexican citizens.