Mayor Declines Invite to Tijuana Due to Cartel Violence

Santee's has declined an invitation to the upcoming Seventh Binational Mayors Summit with a letter explaining Mexican drug cartel violence as the reasoning for his absence.

"I do not visit Mexico for ANY reason, as I perceive the risk of personal assault from the drug lords that rule the country to be greater than any good my risk of personal safety would garner," wrote Mayor Voepel.

He thanked Tijuana's Mayor Carlos Bautista and San Diego's Mayor Jerry Sanders for the invitation to the Summit, which has taken place in both countries in the past. The conference is designed for mayors on both sides of the border "to discuss binational and bipartisan interests throughout the California and Baja border region," according to the Summit's website.

Voepel said that he was simply following the lead of many on this side of the border, and shared concerns that the violence is spreading.

"I follow the example of many fellow citizens, cruise lines and business's in not visiting our wonderful neighbors to the south," he wrote. "Just so you don't think my declination of the invitation to be an insult, please know that I share many of the same concerns for my country, as the United States declines into a drug cartel society ourselves."