Posted on 08/02/2005 11:46:00 AM PDT by SwinneySwitch
MEXICO CITY - Mexico promised to tighten security on its U.S. border on Tuesday after Washington closed a consulate in the lawless city of Nuevo Laredo because police have failed to curb spiraling violence.
President Vicente Fox's spokesman said tougher measures would soon be taken in the fight against warring drug cartels along the border.
"Yesterday there was a Cabinet-level security meeting and the president gave instructions to radicalize the operation and raise its efficiency," said spokesman Ruben Aguilar.
He gave no details, except to rule out a curfew in Nuevo Laredo, across the Rio Grande from Laredo, Texas.
Still, Aguilar reiterated Mexico's objection to the closing of the U.S. Consulate, saying it was an extreme measure.
More than 100 people have been killed this year in Nuevo Laredo. Most of the deaths were linked to the drug trade, including 18 police officers.
U.S. Ambassador Tony Garza last week ordered the consulate temporarily closed after rival drug gangs clashed with bazookas, hand grenades and automatic weapons in a battle that raged for 20 minutes. He said he would only reopen it if the security situation improved.
The State Department has repeatedly warned Americans not to travel to Nuevo Laredo.
Mexico launched a security program along the border in June after gunmen killed the city's new police chief hours after he was sworn in.
Authorities suspended the entire local police force for possible links to the drug trade and army troops and federal police took over the city, a trade hub.
But the violence continued unabated. In the latest killing, on Monday, an unidentified man was found dead with a single shot to the back of the neck.
When the Israeli's are done building their wall we should ask them to come over and build one along our souther border.
In Mexico, doesn't such action amount to an intra-governmental squabble? ;)
''tougher measures would soon be taken ''
No time set.
Sounds like 1916 all over again.
ping
Pardon me while I hold my breath.
Forgive me if I don't hold my breath
How many times have we read this on these threads in the past year?
Almost. Intra-Agency tiff!
Mexico Ping!
Please FReepmail me if you want on or off this South Texas/Mexico ping list.
And I'll bet they will do a d@mn good job.
Looks like I'll change my travel plans to Matamoros again this year.
Someone please tell me why the Mexicans would take measures that would limit remittances from illegals in the US. It just doesn't get that cold.
As I recall just a few weeks ago there was a Mexican testifying ion front of the Senate saying that Mexico would quit cooperating on security unless they got the whole amnesty/open borders enchilada.
But maybe, since there first and second largest industries are US tourism and Remittances from illegals in the US we can convince them to cooperate with us without submitting to their blackmail.
So tight all them cop killers are stuck down south
The person testifying was a Mexican presidential candidate, Jorge Castenada (I think I spelled that surname wrong.) Given that he isn't president, who cares what he has to say?
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MEXICO CITY - Mexico promised to tighten security on its U.S. border on Tuesday after Washington closed a consulate in the lawless city of Nuevo Laredo because police have failed to curb spiraling violence.
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