MEXICO
Tension between the US and Mexico has escalated following a decision from Texas to proceed with the execution of Mexican citizen, Edgar Tamayo, which is scheduled for January 22.
It is alleged that Edgar Tamayo was not immediately informed of his right to contact the Mexican Consulate for assistance.
The Mexican Ministry of Foreign Affairs demanded that the execution be canceled since the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruled in 2004 that the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations was violated after 50 Mexicans including Tamayo were arrested without being informed of their rights.
The ministry strongly condemned the execution, saying that it would be yet another case of the US neglecting its international responsibilities.
Tamayo was condemned to death sentence after being convicted of shooting and killing a police officer who was taking him to jail after a robbery in 1994.
US Secretary of State John Kerry, also warned that Tamayo's execution by lethal injection may result in the rights of US citizens being undermined overseas, due to perceptions of US disregard for international law.
Despite George W. Bush stating in 2005 that state courts should act in accordance with ICJ ruling, Texas refused to do so arguing that the president does not have the power to impose such decisions on states.
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