U.S. DIPLOMAT KIDNAPPED IN MEXICO STILL MISSING

• Document Type: FOIA
• Collection: FOIA Collection
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 00149646
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: September 12, 2023
• Document Release Date: June 21, 2023
• Case Number: F-2021-01570
• Publication Date: April 3, 1974

No �reign Dissem
N Dissem Abroad
ontrolled Dissem
Weekly Situation Report
on
International Terrorism
DO WSRIT 74- 014
3 April 1974
f.rere4r 1
pproved for Release: 2023/05/11 000149646
No Foreign Dissem
issern Abroad/Controlled Dissein
John Patterson, the U.S. Vice-Consul in Hermosillo, Mexico
who was kidnapped on 22 March, is still being held captive,
presumably in Mexico. There has been no further communication
from either Patterson or his captors since a ransom nete writ-
ten by Patterson was discovered at the consulate on the after-
noon of his disappearance.
Rumors regarding Patterson's kidnapping, including one
stating that he was last seen transferring from the consulate
vehicle to 4 camper at a gas station outside Hermosillo, have
been checked by Mexican authorities and have not been substan-
tiated.
Despite efforts to comply with the kidnappers' demand
that there be no publicity, the U.S. and Mexican press have
picked up the story and given it wide dissemination. Although
some Mexican officials contend that the kidnapping may be a
hoax, U.S. authorities believe that in the absence of evidence
to the contrary, Vice-Consul Patterson's disappearance should
be considered a kidnapping. 0 FI IA
ET
No Foreign Dissem/No issem Abroad/Controlled Dissem
ooroved for Release: 2023/05/11
CO0149646
Er.00:7.N Copy
OPERA T 0!::3 STAFF/DDO
- --
3 APR 1974