More Than 200 Americans Killed In Mexico Since ’04

HOUSTON (AP) – The U.S. State Department says more than 200 American citizens have been killed since 2004 in Mexico’s escalating wave of violence.

Their deaths amount to the highest number of unnatural deaths in any foreign country outside military combat zones.

The Houston Chronicle examined hundreds of records related to the deaths. It reports the deaths include a 22-year-old Houston man and his 16-year-old friend who were hauled out of a minivan and shot execution style.

The Chronicle analysis showed some American homicide victims were involved in organized crime. At least two dozen American victims were labeled as cartel hitmen, drug dealers, smugglers or gang members. Others were drug users or wanted for crimes in the United States.

But in at least 70 other cases, the Americans were killed in Mexico while there on seemingly innocent business: visiting family, vacationing or living and working there.

Few of the killers are caught.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)