RCMP invited to join Mexican murder investigation

Last Updated: Friday, March 3, 2006 | 4:12 PM ET

CBC News

Acting on a request by Prime Minister Stephen Harper, the government of Mexico has invited Canadian investigators to join Mexican police in looking into the Feb. 20 killing of two Canadians in Cancun.

Luis Ernesto Derbez, Mexico's foreign affairs secretary, said after meeting with Canadian leaders in Ottawa on Friday that there will be full participation by Canadian law enforcement officials in the investigation into the deaths of Dominic and Nancy Ianiero.

• FROM MARCH 1, 2006: Family 'deeply saddened' by double slaying in Mexico

Mexico's Foreign Affairs Secretary Luis Ernesto Derbez

"We will be working together," Derbez said.

At the same news conference, Foreign Affairs Minister Peter MacKay said there were no immediate plans to send RCMP officers to Mexico. That decision will be left up to the force, he added.

The Mexican government wants to assure Canadians there will be a "complete, transparent, open and very professional" investigation, Derbez said.

Mexican state officials have presented differing ideas and theories about the crime, while media reports have cast doubt on the quality of the police investigation.

Derbez said he had no explanation for the apparent confusion.

• FROM MARCH 2, 2006: RCMP trust Mexican handling of murder investigation

An RCMP official said Thursday that it trusted the Mexican police, adding the Mounties did not have an active role because "this is a Mexican investigation, in Mexico."