Mayra Cuevas-Nazario
CNN
A multiagency search is under way for the killers of two U.S. citizens in northern Mexico, according to Chihuahua state officials.
Benjamin LeBaron, 32, and his brother-in-law, Luis Widmar, in his mid-30s, were beaten and shot to death after armed men stormed into their home in Galeana on Tuesday morning.
The killers have yet to be identified, but the case seems to be connected to local drug lords, said Arturo Sandoval, a spokesman for the Chihuahua state attorney general's office.
Sandoval said a note was found on LeBaron's body, but he could not confirm the contents.
Local media reported that the note indicated the slayings were in retribution for the capture of 25 drug suspects in a nearby town.
| Nicole Blandford |
July 9th, 2009 4:54 pm ET The problem with many countries is that when Americans come in to help they consider us a threat. Therefore, we are placing a big target on our backs. |
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| Elle Bennett |
July 9th, 2009 5:35 pm ET People stop buying their drugs . . . . |
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| Frieda POlk |
July 9th, 2009 5:40 pm ET Drug violence will finally end when and this is a big 'when' Americans lower their use of illegal drugs . If we don't buy them the Drug Cartels will have no reason to produce drugs |
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| Frieda POlk |
July 9th, 2009 5:42 pm ET It's the law of supply and demand |
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| Billy |
July 9th, 2009 5:51 pm ET This is unacceptable. I am Mexican and live in Mexico City and the stories we hear everyday are downright appalling. It is very sad to have to live in a country like this, especially after Mr. LeBaron did something very courageous. |
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| Joanne Pacicca |
July 9th, 2009 6:05 pm ET Perhaps it is time to halt tourism to Mexico. |
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| Bruno Caro |
July 9th, 2009 6:07 pm ET This type of death (related to drug cartels) goes on every day in the streets of Mexico; horrific murders. It has been an issue for so long, that it has began to spill into American communities and is now taking American lives. It is our neighbor country; something must be done. |
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| Rochelle Dolim |
July 9th, 2009 6:24 pm ET LeBaron was no Mormon church leader to the mainstream LDS church. Drug involvement would be ironic ... and against the rules he set for his own followers. |
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| Diana |
July 9th, 2009 6:43 pm ET It is time the US hold users of illegal substance responsible for the disturbance in Mexico and other countries. also, we need to stop this elitist attitude when talking to anyone – talk about the lord and the love he has shown to them by the beauty of life that we see...all other issues will heal itself once someone understands that the true way to happiness is loving ourselves this evil that took this man's life will be done with...we must remember poverty is in control of this of many nations find a way for families to take care of themselves fight the violent cartels with jobs |
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| Billy |
July 9th, 2009 7:14 pm ET In some ways the Mexican government has played a part in making the problem even bigger. Back in April/May the Mexican senate approved a new law that enables people to carry specific amounts of every drug i.e. it s legal to carry about 5g of marijuana, 25mg of heroine and the rest I cannot remember. With this new law I don't see the problem going anywhere soon. |
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| Clayton |
July 9th, 2009 7:32 pm ET Legalize drugs and end the drug war. Simple. Put the cartels out of business. It's not like people are going to stop taking drugs. Man kind has been alternating it's reality since the beginning of time. This country could use the money it would get from doing so. Instead of making the cartels filthy rich. This war will gone on for ever otherwise. It's a war you can't win. Sadly people are to brainwashed and uneducated for this to ever to come to fruition. |
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| Andrew-PV |
July 9th, 2009 10:38 pm ET As an American living in Puerto Vallarta I am shocked at the coverage and lies being spread. Most of Mexico is very safe and untouched by the violence involving drugs. However, many more lives are being destroyed by the outrageous coverage you are giving Mexico. I think you need to do some coverage on the real Mexico - a place where the murder rate is less that New Orleans. |
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| John |
July 9th, 2009 10:47 pm ET I agree with clayton but when americans leave america they loose the protection of america. Besides 80 years ago they left america because they didnt want to obey the law. They are still breaking mexican law, that makes them criminals as well. |
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| S. Nunez |
July 9th, 2009 11:38 pm ET I feel very sad for the loss of all of the deaths from the cartels. We all in America also, need to remember that if, the drug abusers in America would be punished more, and force into rehab, this would be such a grand issue. It all starts here in America, so, I see it is wrong to blame all of the problems on Mexico. Lets we forget, the wepons are comming from America also. |
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| carlos lopez |
July 9th, 2009 11:47 pm ET on this story you guys put the right name of the person murder but the wrong picture of the person the guy that you put is julian lebaron brother of benjamin. benjamin was thiner and taller than his brother julian. benjamin was against kidnappers and the drug cartels. |
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| Michelle, Cabo San Lucas |
July 10th, 2009 12:11 am ET There are not drug cartel murders in every city and state in Mexico, so it's very unfair to generalize issues in Mexico like it is happening every where in the Country. It's the same as saying there was a drug related murder in Los Angeles, California , so do not travel to the United States of America because it is not safe. As an American mother of 2 young chidlren...I feel safer in my community than I do when I travel to the USA for vacation! |
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| Denver2009 |
July 10th, 2009 12:22 am ET Why would you think foreign countries consider friendly Americans a threat to their way of life, culture, status quo. Certainly it has nothing to do with the Americans that came and befriended Native Americans or the small number of friendly Americans that pledged allegiance to the Mexican constitution when they asked to live in what is now known as Texas. Not to worry, in the year 2010, Mexicans will have the chance to make real change without any blood being spilled that will change Mexico and their government from the way it is now. Over 20 million Americans visit Mexico every year – and you suggest we put a stop to that tourism? Hint – it is not the Mexicans or Mexico that will not allow this to happen; guess what people will not allow this to happen? |
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| Lisa |
July 10th, 2009 1:51 am ET Hey Quit blaming the Mexicans -- This is an American & Canadian Problem too ! Really stiff Sentences are needed in conjunction with Drug rehab.............. Stiff Sentences ??? Yes Lets Go for Murder One as thats what these pushers cause with the stronger crap. I Love Cancun and The Pacific Mexican Coastal area. But they carry guns at the ports so good luck with that. I appreciate there presence. You dealers & pushers need to get a real life ! |
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| tony jones |
July 10th, 2009 2:48 am ET I live in Chihuahua in a small LDS (mormon) settlement about 50 miles from where these men were killed and knew them both. It is true that the origins of their community were because of polygamy but they no longer live or practice polygamy. I think it a little unfair to characterize them as a polygamist cult!! |
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| Tom Tracy |
July 10th, 2009 3:35 am ET Americans? I don't mean to minimize these brutal murders in any way but how can Benjamin LeBaron maintain U. S. citizenship? Are our citizenship laws so poorly strutctured that a fourth generation Mexican retains U. S. citizenship? His great-grandfather, Alma Dayer LeBaron, fled U.S. marshals to Mexico in 1920 to avoid prosecution for polygamy. His sect and various spin-off sects have been involved in internecine bloodshead over control of the cults for generations. I don't consider Benjamin an American and don't understand how U.S. law does. |
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| S. Nunez |
July 10th, 2009 7:11 am ET I feel very sad for the loss of all of the deaths from the cartels. We all in America also, need to remember that if, the drug abusers in America would be punished more, and force into rehab, this wouldn't be such an issue. Less we forget, the wepons are comming from America also. |
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| johanna |
July 10th, 2009 8:27 am ET We can go to the moon but cant keep illegals out of our country! We arent rich enough anymore to take care of the whole world. Let our "neighbors" government down south stop being crooked. Its their responsiblity to police their people. They're being paid off and are not our friends! The Mexican people are in a terrible state.I blame their government not Americans. Build a damn wall. How hard could it be? Our government obviously has "some" reason why they wont. Do they have their hands in the cartels pockets too? I hope not. |
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