Weekend Poll Shows Mexican Citizens Skeptical Of Blame On Weather

Official government statements about Friday's crash of an AS332 Super Puma helicopter (similar aircraft pictured) near Mexico City, which killed the nation's Interior Minister Francisco Blake Mora and seven others, suggested the tragedy might have had to do with bad weather. Some Mexican citizens are skeptical, instead suspecting action by drug cartels. Now, news has surfaced that there may have been issues with maintenance performed after the aircraft exhibited problems two days before the accident.

Hiram Fernando Escobar told the El Universal newspaper that his brother Pedro Ramon Escobar, the co-pilot who was among those killed in the crash, told him the helicopter spent one day being repaired in the presidential hangar before flying again on Friday, saying, "My brother told me on Wednesday that helicopter is not OK and it was failing on the way back from Colima."

The preliminary investigation has disclosed only that the helicopter ran into a hillside after encountering thick fog. A poll published by the Milenio newspaper indicates that while 43 percent believe the crash was an accident as stated by the government, 36 percent of respondents believe it was result of an attack by drug lords.

Interior Minister Francisco Blake Mora was considered the second-in-command in the national government, and had a high profile in helping President Felipe Calderon in the country's fight against powerful drug cartels.

FMI: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Francisco_Blake_Mora