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Calderon – US partly responsible for gun violence

May 20, 2011

Mexico's president Felipe Calderon has accused the US of being partly responsible for ongoing drug-related violence across the country.

Speaking at this week's World Travel and Tourism Council, he noted that there are 8,000 gun shops on the American side of its border with Mexico.

Furthermore, President Calderon said that 85 per cent of the 100,000 guns that have been seized from criminals had been purchased in the US, Travel Weekly reports.

"Our neighbour is the largest consumer of drugs in the world and everyone wants to sell him drugs," he commented.

President Calderon added that the US actually has a higher murder rate than Mexico, particularly in places such as Washington DC, Pittsburgh and New Orleans.

This is the latest stage in an effort to maintain confidence in both the government and the country itself amid continuing violence involving drug cartels.

Earlier this week, Gloria Guevara told AFP that Mexico is still a safe place for holidaymakers to visit, as the violence has occurred outside the main tourist hotspots.