U.S. Ambassador to Mexico Expresses Concern About Border Violence

[Tsiyu]

U.S. Ambassador to Mexico Expresses Concern About Border Violence in Letter Explaining State Department Travel Alert

By Lisa J. Adams Associated Press Writer
Published: Jan 27, 2005


MEXICO CITY (AP) - U.S. Ambassador to Mexico Tony Garza told Mexican leaders Wednesday he is concerned that growing drug-related violence and kidnappings on the border between the two countries will have a "chilling" effect on trade and tourism.
Garza's comments in a letter directed to Mexican Foreign Relations Secretary Luis Ernesto Derbez and federal Attorney Rafael Macedo de la Concha explained the motives behind a public announcement from the U.S. State Department to citizens thinking of traveling to the region.

The department on Wednesday alerted Americans visiting Mexico that violent crime, including murder and kidnaping, has increased in its northern border region. The alert attributed the increased crime to a war between criminal organizations struggling for control of the lucrative narcotics trade. It said the leaders of several major criminal organizations have been arrested, creating a power vacuum.

"U.S. citizens should be aware of the risk posed by the deteriorating security situation," the department warned. It added that the great majority of victims are Mexican citizens.

The U.S. Embassy in Mexico distributed Garza's letter to news agencies after issuing the alert.

http://ap.tbo.com/ap/breaking/MGB6255JG4E.html