Homicide was the leading cause of death for 119 U.S. citizens who died in Mexico and were reported to the U.S. State Department between Jan. 1 and
June 30, according to statistics.
Sixty-five Americans died as a result of shootings and other violent crimes; 12 of them were killed in Juárez and 13 in Tijuana. Both are border
cities with high levels of drug violence.
One homicide of a U.S. citizen was reported during that period in Meoqui, Chihuahua, and another one died in a vehicle accident, also in Chihuahua.
"The number of U.S. citizens reported to the Department of State as murdered in Mexico increased from 35 in 2007 to 111 in 2010," the State Department
said in a statement.
Figures suggest that homicides involving U.S. citizens could surpass last year's total.
Last year, 39 of the 111 homicides involving U.S. citizens reported in Mexico occurred in Chihuahua state, including 37 in Juárez. The victims
included high-school and college students, teachers, a consulate worker and her husband, people visiting relatives and business owners.
"The information should not be considered a statistically complete account of U.S. citizen deaths in foreign countries during the reporting period,"
U.S. officials said.
"Most American citizens who die abroad were residents abroad, and surviving family members might not inform the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate of
the death."
U.S. officials also said the figures may not include some deaths of U.S. military or U.S. government officials because their information is omitted
for privacy.
Other deaths of U.S. citizens this year during the first six months included 31 in vehicle accidents, 12 in suicides, eight in drownings and three in
other types of accidents.
The U.S. State Department has not lifted its travel warning for Mexico.
"You should be especially aware of safety and security concerns when visiting the northern border states of Northern Baja California, Sonora,
Chihuahua, Nuevo Leon, and Tamaulipas," according to the U.S. advisory.
"Much of the country's narcotics-related violence has occurred in the border region. More than a third of all U.S. citizens killed in Mexico in 2010
whose deaths were reported to the U.S. government were killed in the border cities of Ciudad Juárez and Tijuana," the State Department said.woody with a view - 11-6-2011 at 11:25 AM
death comes in many forms, with the same result.Dave - 11-6-2011 at 07:55 PM
Quote:
Originally posted by woody with a view
death comes in many forms, with the same result.
