Mexican drug violence ‘has killed 1,300 young people’
More than 1,300 minors have lost their lives in violence linked to Mexico's drug war since December 2006, according to new figures.
The data was included in a report published by the Mexican daily newspaper Reforma, which cited statistics from the non-governmental Network for the Rights of Children (Redim).
According to the organisation, many children and teenagers have died in the crossfire of drug-related shootings and as direct targets of attacks.
"There is serious concern among organisations for the defence of boys, girls and teenagers, because the number of deaths has not only not stopped growing but actually rose," said Redim director Martin Perez.
Violent clashes involving drug gangs have escalated in Mexico since president Felipe Calderon launched a major crackdown on organised crime in late 2006.
Government figures released in January indicated that at least 34,000 people have died as a result of the violence. There is speculation the figure has now exceeded 40,000.
