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| Mexico drug war deaths over five years now total 47,515 | Mexico drug war deaths over five years now total 47,515 |
| (about 14 hours later) | |
| Mexican officials say nearly 13,000 people were killed in violence blamed on organised crime between January and September last year. | Mexican officials say nearly 13,000 people were killed in violence blamed on organised crime between January and September last year. |
| This means there have been 47,515 drug-related killings since President Felipe Calderon launched his crackdown on drug traffickers in late 2006. | This means there have been 47,515 drug-related killings since President Felipe Calderon launched his crackdown on drug traffickers in late 2006. |
| Officials said the 11% rise in murders was far slower than in previous years. | Officials said the 11% rise in murders was far slower than in previous years. |
| But with presidential elections in July, violence is set to be a key issue for voters, correspondents say. | But with presidential elections in July, violence is set to be a key issue for voters, correspondents say. |
| On Wednesday, Mexico's Federal Attorney General's office (PGR) released figures showing that 12,903 people had been killed in drug-related violence during the first nine months of 2011. | On Wednesday, Mexico's Federal Attorney General's office (PGR) released figures showing that 12,903 people had been killed in drug-related violence during the first nine months of 2011. |
| It was the first time official statistics had been released since January 2011 and came in response to a series of freedom of information requests over several months. | It was the first time official statistics had been released since January 2011 and came in response to a series of freedom of information requests over several months. |
| The PGR said that the 11% rise was "a significant decrease" on previous years. | The PGR said that the 11% rise was "a significant decrease" on previous years. |
| In 2009-2010, murders jumped 70%; 2008-2009 saw a 63% rise and there was a 110% jump in 2007-2008. | In 2009-2010, murders jumped 70%; 2008-2009 saw a 63% rise and there was a 110% jump in 2007-2008. |
| But with the 2011 figures running just until September, the overall number of murders could be some 16,000. | But with the 2011 figures running just until September, the overall number of murders could be some 16,000. |
| The PGR said that the violence was concentrated in a quarter of Mexico's states. | The PGR said that the violence was concentrated in a quarter of Mexico's states. |
| Cartel control | Cartel control |
| There have been improvements in security in some areas, including the border city of Tijuana. | There have been improvements in security in some areas, including the border city of Tijuana. |
| Ciudad Juarez, also on the US-Mexico, continues to be among the most violent municipalities, with 1,206 murders, although this was a sharp drop on the estimated 2,500 killings the year before. | Ciudad Juarez, also on the US-Mexico, continues to be among the most violent municipalities, with 1,206 murders, although this was a sharp drop on the estimated 2,500 killings the year before. |
| However, experts say the decline in killings may be the result of one cartel exerting overall control rather than specific success by the military or police. | However, experts say the decline in killings may be the result of one cartel exerting overall control rather than specific success by the military or police. |
| Last year also saw drug violence spread to previously calm areas, including the eastern port city of Veracruz. | Last year also saw drug violence spread to previously calm areas, including the eastern port city of Veracruz. |
| The capital, Mexico City, had also been relatively untouched. | The capital, Mexico City, had also been relatively untouched. |
| But on Wednesday, two decapitated bodies were found inside a burning vehicle outside an upmarket shopping centre in the Santa Fe district of Mexico City. | But on Wednesday, two decapitated bodies were found inside a burning vehicle outside an upmarket shopping centre in the Santa Fe district of Mexico City. |
| Two heads were found in front of the car. | Two heads were found in front of the car. |
| The government stresses that Mexico's murder rate is still lower than several nations, including Honduras, Guatemala, Brazil and Venezuela. | The government stresses that Mexico's murder rate is still lower than several nations, including Honduras, Guatemala, Brazil and Venezuela. |