Obama warns of impact of Mexican violence

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama is warning that the level of violence in Mexico could have a "deteriorating effect" on U.S.-Mexican relations but is crediting Mexico's president for his efforts to curb the violence.

Obama says his administration has worked to stop illegal gun trading and recognizes the impact that the violence is having on those inside Mexico.

The president says when you have "innocent families and women and children" who are being killed, "that should be everybody's problem." He says if the violence from the drug trade expands, it will have a "deteriorating effect" on the two countries' relationship.

Obama credits Mexican President Felipe Calderon for the "courageous steps" he's taken to curb the violence.

He spoke at a White House news conference with Calderon and Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper.

SantafeNewMexican.com with news from The Associated Press