Relatives of Tijuana consulate employees may return to U.S.

By Sandra Dibble, UNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER
Originally published March 14, 2010 at 6:50 p.m., updated March 14, 2010 at 9:13 p.m.

TIJUANA— The killing of three people with ties to the U.S. Consulate in Ciudad Juarez Saturday prompted the State Department on Sunday to authorize U.S. government employees at six U.S. consulates in northern Mexico — including Tijuana — to send their family members out of the area because of concerns about rising drug violence.

Steven Kashkett, the head of the U.S. Consulate in Tijuana, emphasized the voluntary nature of the measure, which is in effect until April 12.

“This is not an evacuation. This is simply an administrative measure that makes it possible for family members who wish to be relocated temporarily to do so for a limited period of time,â€