Mexican government demands protection for Mexicans in the U.S.

Mexico demanded protections for Mexican and Mexican-American communities in the U.S. after at least 22 people — eight of whom were identified as Mexican nationals — were killed Saturday in a mass shooting in El Paso, Texas. The Justice Department is treating the attack as an act of domestic terrorism and federal investigators are treating it as a hate crime.

Mexico’s President, Andrés Manuel López Obrador,  is demanding “conditions are established that protect the Mexican-American community and Mexicans in the United States,” Mexican Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard said in a video.

“What has occurred is unacceptable,” Ebrard continued, adding that he would be traveling to El Paso, which borders the northern Mexican state of Chihuahua, on Monday.

In a separate video, Ebrard said the Mexican government was working with the victims’ families and that it would pursue legal action against the seller of the weapon that was used in the attack.

“The intention of the attack against the Latino and Mexican communities in El Paso is terrifying,” Mexican Ambassador to the U.S. Martha Bárcena said, adding that she would also be traveling to El Paso to offer the support of the Mexican government to victims and their families there.

“There has to be a stop to xenophobic and racist discourse. NO to violence. NO to hate,” she said.

Mexico’s foreign ministry condemned Saturday’s shooting as a terrorist attack against Mexican and Mexican-American people.

“The government of Mexico will undertake measures to guarantee justice for the victims,” it said in a statement.

Meanwhile, on Monday, Mexico’s president urged the promotion of universal brotherhood.

“The unfortunate events that have occurred in the United States must bring reflection, analysis and a push for control over the sale of weapons,” Obrador said.

The 21-year old suspected gunman is being held without bond on capital murder charges. El Paso Police Chief Greg Allen said the suspect purchased his weapon legally.

El Paso, Texas shooting suspect may be charged as domestic terrorist