8 US citizens among Mexico border city deaths this month: consul (Mexican, Spanish)

[JDubsMom]

CIUDAD JUAREZ (AFP) — Eight US citizens were killed and five wounded in attacks in the volatile northern Mexico border city of Ciudad Juarez in August, the US consul here said Friday.

"During the month of August they (hitmen) killed eight US citizens and injured five more on this side of the border," said Raymond McGrath at a meeting on border issues in Ciudad Juarez.

Violence has escalated throughout Mexico since President Felipe Calderon, who took office at the end of 2006, launched a military crackdown on drug trafficking and related attacks, but nowhere more than in Ciudad Juarez.

The city has had an average of four murders a day this year, according to police and news reports, which increased to eight a day in the month of August.

The consul did not give names of the US citizens or details of their deaths, but said they "were not direct targets of the violence."


http://afp.google.com

Gee, the fact that their deaths were "coincidental" should make their loved ones feel and sleep much better now.

[cmagill]

my son went to juarez two days ago he doesn't speak spanish and said he was crossing back over today at 2:00pm and that he would call me when he got to el paso I haven't heard from him I called the police and the border patrol they have no information does anyone know what I should do?

[ArizonaBear]

Originally Posted by cmagill

my son went to juarez two days ago he doesn't speak spanish and said he was crossing back over today at 2:00pm and that he would call me when he got to el paso I haven't heard from him I called the police and the border patrol they have no information does anyone know what I should do?

Contact the US consulate in Juarez (if there is one).

[alxtronics]

Originally Posted by cmagill

my son went to juarez two days ago he doesn't speak spanish and said he was crossing back over today at 2:00pm and that he would call me when he got to el paso I haven't heard from him I called the police and the border patrol they have no information does anyone know what I should do?

First you need to relax a little. If he told you he´ll be back by 2:00 p.m. maybe he is still having a good time. (It´s 9:00 am right now in Cd. Juarez)

Next, here are some useful phone numbers you may try:

Emergencias. 060
Consulado americano, López Mateos 924, Tel. 613 40 48,
Consulado mexicano en El Paso, San Antonio y Virginia 910, Tel. (915) 544 92 99
Cruz Roja, Henry Dunant 4324, Tel. 616 58 06

You may also call:
Centro de Contacto Ciudadano (CCC) favor de marcar al 070.

El diario de Cd. Juarez (656) 6291900 (Newspaper)

If you are calling from the USA, you need to dial 01152656 before the numbers posted.

I sincerelly hope your son calls you soon.

Alx

[Guero]

What's happening in Mexico is just tragic.

I lived in El Paso for quite a while, and have fond memories of dancing the night away at the discos in Juarez. It's just plain sad that such a fun and lively place has been reduced to a warzone.

I still keep in touch with friends down there and they are very nervous. They will go to Juarez under NO circumstances and they advise others not to go there either.

cmagill - I pray that everything turns out ok, and and please don't take this a pushiness - but one night of fun in Juarez is NOT worth the risk. Please try to stop him in the future.