Cousin of Mexican First Lady gunned down near capital

dpa German Press Agency
Published: Wednesday December 13, 2006

Mexico City- A cousin of Margarita Zavala, Mexico's new First Lady, was gunned down near the country's capital shortly after President Felipe Calderon declared a war on organized crime, according to government officials Wednesday. The motive for the murder of Felipe Zavala McGregor was still unknown, nor was it clear whether the assassination was related to Calderon's announcement that defeating organized crime would be a maximum priority for 2007.

Zavala's death was confirmed to Deutsche-Presse Agentur dpa by the president's spokesperson, Miguel Monterrubio, only moments after Calderon reaffirmed his decision to restore "peace and tranquility" to Mexico, in a speech at a military base.

Calderon, who was inaugurated December 1, on Monday launched a major initiative against drug trafficking in the eastern state of Michoacan, which would involve more than 6,500 military and police officers.

Mexico's district attorney's office said the body of Zavala McGregor was found Tuesday evening in Naucalpan, just east of Mexico City.

© 2006 dpa German Press Agency

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