Execution in Texas likely to lead to protests throughout Mexico

The state of Texas will execute Jose Medellin, a Mexican national who was convicted of the rape and murder of two 15-year-old girls, on 5 August 2008. On 4 August Mexican protesters held rallies near the international bridges in Nuevo Laredo and Reynosa. Protesters will likely gather near the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City and U.S. consulates in other Mexican cities. The issue has been highly controversial both in the United States and internationally. In 2005 the Bush administration requested that states reopen all cases involving Mexican nationals who were not given access to legal assistance from Mexican diplomats. However, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the Bush administration exceeded its authority in making this request. The Mexican government filed a lawsuit with the International Criminal Court of Justice, which urged Texas to halt the executions of five Mexican nationals currently on death row. Travellers should anticipate possible protests throughout Mexico.