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Official: Toll understated for slain Americans
Deaths in Juarez contribute to high rate of killings in Mexico
By LISE OLSEN Copyright 2009 Houston Chronicle
Feb. 18, 2009, 9:35PM


El Diaro de Juarez
Police investigate the killings of two Americans in Juarez last fall.


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MEXICO CITY — Americans in Mexico continued to be slain at a rate of nearly one each week through the end of 2008 and there is little reason to think the violence will stop anytime soon, U.S. Embassy officials have confirmed.

In fact, the number of homicides is likely higher, because many victims die after being taken to hospitals across the border and — along with other killings — often go unreported to the U.S. Department of State, Ed McKeon, Minister Counselor for Consular Affairs in Mexico told the Houston Chronicle.

“I’m convinced the total number of deaths is very much under-reported,â€