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 News from Around the Americas | August 2005 
US State Keeps 90-Day Emergency Despite Mexico Ire
 Agence France Presse
| | New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson, seen here in July 2005, will not lift a state of emergency in part of his state bordering Mexico, despite the displeasure of the neighboring country(Photo: Alejandro Acosta) |
New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson will not lift a state of emergency in part of his state bordering Mexico, despite the displeasure of the neighboring country, a spokeswoman said.
"Governor Richardson will keep the state of emergency at the New Mexico-Mexico border," said spokeswoman Yasine Mogharreban. The measure will be in place for 90 days, his office said.
Richardson declared the emergency Friday in four counties that border the Mexican state of Chihuahua, citing "recent developments ... including violence directed at law enforcement, damage to property and livestock, increased evidence of drug smuggling and an increase in the number of undocumented immigrants."
The executive order by the sole Hispanic governor in the United States made 750,000 dollars available to assist law enforcement in border communities, and Richardson pledged an additional one million dollars to that end.
Mexico's government said the state of emergency "ran contrary to a spirit of cooperation."
"Some of the statements by the New Mexico government are based on generalizations that are not in line with the spirit of cooperation and understanding required to address shared problems along the border," the Mexican foreign ministry said in a statement Saturday.
"Border violence and crime are complicated issues, which begin on both sides of the border" and should be fought based on "shared responsibility," the ministry added.
Richardson is no stranger to Mexico; he is half Mexican and grew up in Mexico City.
The US government recently closed and then reopened its consulate in Nuevo Laredo, in the Mexican state of Tamaulipas, amid an upsurge in local violence. |
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