First Officer and Dispatcher reported communications issues with a foreign country ATC resulted in a EGPWS terrain alert on arrival.
Synopsis
First Officer and Dispatcher reported communications issues with a foreign country ATC resulted in a EGPWS terrain alert on arrival.
Narrative
I was the First Officer of Aircraft X and acting as Pilot Monitoring. ATC was very busy on the radio and we were unable to follow instructions to other aircraft; as the comm was all in Spanish. We received a vector to PAZ VOR; then received directions to hold North of PAZ; left hand turns. Then we were told to hole North of PAZ 20nm. At this point we were not sure if we were going to do the ENAGA 2A for RW05R or the ENAGA 2B for RW 23L. At some point we clarified with approach that we were going be landing on RW23L. Then we received a vector on a heading to the NE; followed by direct ENAGA and the ENAGA 2B with a decent to 14000 after crossing ENAGA at FL200. Close to ENAGA; we were asked by approach if we could fly direct to SESTA. We replied that we could and were directed to SESTA and cleared to descend to 10;000 ft. I thought it was unusual that we were cleared to 10;000ft so early; but believed that it would be OK because it appeared that we were visually clear of terrain and the EGPWS was green ahead of out flight path; with the higher terrain to the south showing up in red and amber; which the Captain mentioned. We got a '2;500' call from the Radalt in the cockpit and at that point I noticed that there was some amber terrain showing up ahead of out flight path. Soon afterwards; we received a 'caution; terrain' or 'pull up; terrain' and the Captain executed an immediate climb. I communicated to approach that we had climbed from 10;000 to 12;000 ft.We were cleared on the 23L approach; then asked if we could accept 23R. We executed a sidestep to RW 23R.
Second reporter narrative
I am writing this report at the request of the [review group] to provide further information about weather and ATC events in the arrival portion of this flight. From my perspective; I was never aware of an operational irregularity other than a risk for holding and thunderstorms in the vicinity of the airport. Flight advised me of expected holding while still at cruise altitude approaching MMMX . A thunderstorm cell was 30nm north of the field moving east per satellite loop and lightning detection. I kept the flight advised of weather development; cell movement and traffic sequence ahead. Flight never did get a hold; but was slowed; then cleared direct to ENAGA STAR entry fix. This was the last ACARS exchange. I monitored the flights and saw no further delay in progress through landing.
Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.