Ambassador Garza Reviews Monterrey Consulate after Incident

Monterrey NL, October 15, 2008 - “I have no higher priority than the protection of the American community, and this holds especially true for the people who work in the U.S. Diplomatic Mission in Mexico,” said U.S. Ambassador to Mexico, Antonio O. Garza, during a visit to Monterrey.

“Today I made a fact-finding visit to our Consulate General in Monterrey to consult with our Consul General, Bruce Williamson, and our Consulate community over the attack of last Saturday night.   He has told me of the progress of the investigation and the determination shown by our law enforcement attachés and their counterparts in Mexican local, state and federal entities to spare no effort in solving this crime.  This was an attack against a U.S. government facility, and neither the U.S. government nor our Mexican hosts take such an attack lightly.

“We have not only dramatically increased our security, which enabled us to remain open and continue at full staffing in all of our departments, but we are also intensifying our cooperation with our Mexican counterparts in every aspect of this law enforcement investigation so that we can bring the perpetrators to justice.  They will find that it was a mistake to target a United States Consulate.

“This highlights again the importance of our shared commitment with Mexico to confront violence and the criminal elements that thrive on intimidation and fear.  We will redouble our efforts to ensure the security of our diplomatic mission across Mexico.  No one should believe they can attack a United States government facility with impunity."