Asia-Pacific

Mexico condemns murder linked to US consulate

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2010-03-15 14:28

MEXICO CITY - The Mexican government condemned the murder of three people related with the US consulate in Mexico's northern city Ciudad Juarez, the Foreign Ministry said in a statement issued Sunday.

The government would assure the safety of all people in Mexico, including diplomatic personnel, the statement said.

"The Mexican authorities will work with determination to clarify the conditions where the violence took place and bring those responsible to justice," the ministry said, adding that it would maintain coordination with the US diplomatic authorities.

An employee of the US consulate in Mexico, along with her husband, and the husband of another consular employee, were shot to death by unidentified gunmen.

US President Barack Obama said he was "deeply saddened and outraged" over the murder, White House spokesman Mike Hammer said in a statement.

On the same day, US State Department issued a travel warning to American citizens traveling to and living in Mexico, informing them of the security situation in the country.

The State Department has also authorized the departure of dependents of US government personnel from US consulates in six northern Mexican border cities of Tijuana, Nogales, Ciudad Juarez, Nuevo Laredo, Monterrey and Matamoros until April 12.

During the last three years, organized crime has caused more than 17,000 deaths in Mexico, local media reported.