British Ambassador to Mexico removed after Gun Joke – The Organization for World Peace

Former British ambassador to Mexico Jon Benjamin left his post earlier this year after a video emerged of him pointing a gun at local colleagues at the embassy in Mexico City. Mr. Benjamin’s attempt at what appears to be a seriously misguided joke has cost him dearly, as he is no longer listed online as ambassador to Mexico. While the Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office (FCDO) has made no official comment on Mr Benjamin’s position, the government’s official website states he was posted “between 2021 and 2024”, insinuating he will be removed.

The UK FCDO’s only comment on the incident was from a spokesperson, who said so the office is “aware of this incident and has taken appropriate action.Mr Benjamin himself has also refrained from commenting, despite being active on social media before his dismissal. The original video of the incident, published by The Financial Times, shows the ambassador brandishing a gun while sitting in a car, pointing at several other embassy employees. Although perhaps intended as a joke, many were outraged by the ambassador’s flippancy in the context of thousands of murders by drug cartels across Mexico, and by the fact that owning a gun is illegal in the country.

Ambassadors play a crucial role in international relations and in maintaining trust and cooperation between states. While most ambassadors are more reserved and private, Mr. Benjamin has tended to communicate directly with the public, either through social media or through public statements. This method of diplomacy can be effective, but still requires the ambassador to have a certain level of respect for the host country and an understanding of its culture and issues. In this case, Mr. Benjamin showed a complete lack of awareness, which not only ended his term in office but also created unnecessary tensions between Britain and Mexico. In a country struggling with cartel violence and illegal firearms that kill thousands of people every year, pointing one of these weapons at your colleagues is not considered a joke – especially when an influential politician does it.

Mexico has suffered escalating gun violence in recent years, mainly caused by intense conflict between powerful drug cartels. This wave of violence has led to high murder and kidnapping rates, affecting numerous regions across the country, but especially in the states of Sinaloa and Durango in the north, where Mr. Benjamin was at the time he made his video. The government’s efforts to curb the violence included sending military forces, but these efforts often had limited success. The spread of illegal firearms, which often cross the border from the United States, worsens the situation and contributes to the ongoing instability and fear in Mexico. Newly elected President Claudia Sheinbaum hopes to make progress on these issues.

Former British Ambassador to Mexico Jon Benjamin showed exactly what a diplomat should not act, especially when in the public eye. Respectful and informed diplomacy is a pillar of the international system, and even seemingly minor incidents like these can cause enormous damage to relations. Going forward, diplomats must know their roles and continue to promote understanding of their host countries.