Sat. Jun 29th, 2024
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THIS is the shocking moment Jon Benjamin – the British ambassador to Mexico – points an assault rifle at a terrified member of staff.

The horrifying clip of the incident was followed by his employees allegedly accusing him of “systematic harassment” in Mexico City as the long standing government aid was soon sacked.

The horror moment British ambassador to Mexico, Jon Benjamin, points an assault rifle at a terrified member of staff6

The horror moment British ambassador to Mexico, Jon Benjamin, points an assault rifle at a terrified member of staffCredit: Twitter
A gleeful Benjamin was later sacked from his role as the employees complained he had created a sense of 'systematic harassment' in Mexico City

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A gleeful Benjamin was later sacked from his role as the employees complained he had created a sense of ‘systematic harassment’ in Mexico CityCredit: Twitter
The employees were left in disbelief over having the barrel of an assault rifle pointed at them from just feet away

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The employees were left in disbelief over having the barrel of an assault rifle pointed at them from just feet awayCredit: Twitter
Benjamin has had a 35-year career in the diplomatic service serving Britain

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Benjamin has had a 35-year career in the diplomatic service serving BritainCredit: gov.uk

In the five second clip, Benjamin can be seen aiming the large lethal weapon at two clearly concerned local embassy employees sitting just feet away from him inside a car.

The man sitting in the front seat, directly next to Benjamin, looks to cower as close to the window as possible to avoid any unfortunate situation unfolding at the hands of the former ambassador.

A second man in the back seat of the car, also thought to be an employee, has his hand out in disbelief at what Benjamin is doing as the barrel of the rifle stares down at the man.

Music and laughter can be heard inside the car throughout the chilling footage.

Benjamin was on an official trip to Durango and Sinaloa in Mexico at the time, say reports.

Both states have been ripped apart by drug related carnage in recent years at the hands of cartels such as the Sinola Cartel.

The video was plastered across social media this week as an alleged revenge attack on the former ambassador by disgruntled employees unhappy with how they were being treated, claim local reports.

The footage came from an unknown social media account believed to have been created by the local employees of the British embassy in Mexico City.

A caption that accompanied the video said: “In a context of daily killings in Mexico, he dares to joke.”

A follow-up post added: “The British Embassy in Mexico has a history of hiding things to the public.

“Including how Jon Benjamin’s attitude of being above everything has resulted in the systematic harassment of Mexican staff.”

Benjamin was fired from his role as ambassador soon after the shocking ordeal in April.

But, he is believed to still be a Commonwealth and Development Office employee.

The Sun has contacted the former ambassador and the UK Foreign Office for comment.

Benjamin was first appointed as the ambassador to Mexico in 2021 – lasting just three years in the job.

As a career government aid spanning over 35 years, he had also represented the British Government in Chile, Ghana, Turkey, Indonesia, and the United States.

In 2012, he found himself in trouble after posting a derogatory football based tweet about Argentina and the Falklands War.

As the UK’s ambassador to Chile, Benjamin tweeted out: “What were the islands that they took, from whom and for what reason?

“Maybe I’ll get to know at the National Stadium this Tuesday? I’ve already got my ticket.”

He swiftly issued a grovelling apology after Argentina blasted his joke as an insult to the nation.

He labelled it a “mistake” that was supposed to be a private joke between friends.

“I feel great affection for my Argentine friends and respect for their national side,” he said.

Mexico’s chilling drug history

Mexican authorities have been battling against fierce drug cartels for years now – including one of the greatest threats in the Sinola Cartel.

They are a fearsome force operating in Culiacan, in the western Mexican province Sinaloa.

Known for illegal drug trafficking and money laundering, the group have also left decapitated heads of their enemies as warning gifts for rival gangs.

The outrage over Benjamin’s actions is thought to be due to the video being filmed on a trip to Sinola where hundreds die each year to suspected gang violence.

Just over a year ago, the Mexican government was even forced to send out the military to tackle rampaging drug cartels on the streets.

Former holiday hotspot, Colima, has quickly transformed into one of the deadliest cities on Earth known for death, drugs and destruction.

It even now holds the terrifying title of the world’s murder capital after a string of violent deaths plagued the city as it became a bloody cartel warzone.

Day-to-day life in Colima consists of constant gunfire and seeing bloodied bodies tossed along the streets, say The Citizen Council for Public Security and Criminal Justice (CCPSCJ) in Mexico.

In 2022, tensions reached boiling point as a mass street brawl between the Sinaloa crew and the most dangerous and powerful cartel in Mexico, the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), broke out.

Those involved in the senseless beatings were all slammed behind bars in the same prison leading to chaos.

Days later, 10 inmates had been massacred with seven others injured as the thugs continued their fierce rivalry.

Since El Chapo was extradited and jailed in 2019 , the CJNG has become a  £13 billion drug empire under new leadership, and consolidated power across almost the whole of Mexico.

The cartel’s ruthless rise to global dominance has left an appalling history of bodies and screams in its wake —  ripping out victims’ hearts, dissolving their bodies in barrels of acid, and even targeting pregnant women.

Its drug trafficking empire now reaches all corners of the globe, despite the ferocious competition from other cartels in Mexico.

Soldiers burn piles of cocaine in Colima as the once popular tourist spot has transformed into the murder capital of the world

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Soldiers burn piles of cocaine in Colima as the once popular tourist spot has transformed into the murder capital of the world
Much of Mexico is being ripped apart by violent cartel turf wars

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Much of Mexico is being ripped apart by violent cartel turf wars

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