Mexicans protest at US embassy over gun smuggling
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Mexican members of migrant organiations hold signs during a protest in front of the United States (US) embassy against the trafficking of weapons to Mexico and the failure of the US immigration reform on Jan 21, 2013, in Mexico City. -- PHOTO: AFP
MEXICO CITY (AFP) - Dozens of people protested outside the United States (US) embassy in Mexico on Monday, urging the US to act to stop the smuggling of guns into their country and halt deportations of illegal migrants.
Activists have said that loose US gun laws are partly to blame for the soaring drug-related violence in Mexico because it allowed gangs to build up an arsenal of assault rifles bought across the border.
The flow of migrants sneaking through the 3,200km US-Mexican border has also been a major focal point in bilateral relations.
As US President Barack Obama was publicly sworn in to a second term on Monday, around 10 children in Mexico City held a sign urging Mr Obama to "fulfill your promise".
