http://www.tucsoncitizen.com/breaking/0 ... arning.php
July 26, 2005

U.S. State Department renews Mexico travel advisory
TRACI CARL
The Associated Press

MEXICO CITY - The U.S. State Department is renewing a travel advisory that warns American citizens of violence in Mexico, especially along the U.S. border, the U.S. ambassador said Tuesday.
In a statement, U.S. Ambassador to Mexico Tony Garza defended the advisory, the third he has requested this year. He said more than 100 violent deaths along the border since June and the killings of 18 Nuevo Laredo policemen convinced him that the warning was still necessary.

"These disturbing reports make clear that Mexico needs to do much more to bring safety and security to our common border," he said.

The last advisory was issued in April, and expires on Friday.

The past two advisories have angered Mexico, a country that relies heavily on U.S. tourism and bridles at criticism from its powerful, northern neighbor.

Growing gang violence and a battle between Mexico's two main drug gangs have caused a spike in violence along the border, especially in Nuevo Laredo, across from Laredo, Texas.

Mexican officials, including President Vicente Fox, have acknowledged the problem and pledged to work with their U.S. counterparts to combat growing violence.

In Nuevo Laredo, where the new city police chief was gunned down in June only hours after taking office, Fox sent in additional federal agents and soldiers to restore law and order.

Garza acknowledged Fox's efforts, saying: "The Mexican government is beginning to address concerns about the unacceptable level of violence along our border."

The ambassador also promised that the United States would help Mexican law enforcement agencies combat high crime rates.

"I have held talks with officials at the highest levels of the Mexican government to underscore my belief that the prosperity of our two countries depends in no small part on stability and a firm commitment to stop the violence," he said.