Mexico City — President Claudia Sheinbaum announced Monday that Mexico will file criminal complaints with the U.S. Department of Justice and state prosecutors over the deaths of 17 Mexican nationals, and called on all political parties to unite in defense of Mexicans’ human rights in the United States.
Speaking at her morning press conference, Sheinbaum said the Foreign Ministry will pursue legal action following the deaths of 17 Mexicans, including the most recent case of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo, who was killed in Houston, Texas. Local and federal U.S. authorities are investigating that case.
Sheinbaum said Foreign Minister Roberto Velasco spoke with U.S. Ambassador to Mexico Ronald Johnson to inform him of the complaints and to express concern over alleged human rights violations against Mexicans in detention centers and during operations by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
The president stressed that defending Mexican nationals should not be solely the federal government’s responsibility. She called on Congress, the Permanent Commission, and all political parties without exception to also submit information requests and voice their rejection of human rights violations against Mexicans in the United States.
“We are going to do this, and I think this is not only an issue for the government of Mexico. I call on all political parties, all of them, and on all Mexican society to show solidarity with our compatriots in the United States. I don’t think anyone is okay with this situation. So I call on Congress, the Permanent Commission, and all political parties, all without exception, to also submit an information request and our rejection of the violation of human rights of Mexicans in the United States. And to anyone who wants to do so, because from my perspective this is not only a matter for the government of Mexico,” Sheinbaum said.
