White House calls kidnapping, deaths of Americans in Mexico 'unacceptable'

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White House calls kidnapping, deaths of Americans in Mexico 'unacceptable'

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre on Tuesday gave an update on reports that two of the four Americans kidnapped in Mexico are dead while the other two remain living, calling attacks on Americans "unacceptable." 

The White House on Tuesday responded to news from the Mexican government that two of the four American citizens kidnapped in Mexico are dead while the other two remain alive, calling attacks on Americans "unacceptable." 

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said U.S. officials are still working with their Mexican counterparts to learn more and have all Americans returned home. She said the president has been regularly updated on the situation and expressed condolences for the families of the victims. 

"I can confirm that U.S. officials are in touch with the families of the individuals, but again, we will respect their privacy regarding our conversations with them," Jean-Pierre said, thanking members of U.S. law enforcement for their work on the case.

"Attacks on U.S. citizens are unacceptable no matter where or under what circumstances, circumstances they happen," she continued. "We will continue to work closely with the Mexican government to ensure justice is done in this case."

FIRST OF FOUR AMERICANS KIDNAPPED IN MEXICO HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED

A member of the Mexican security forces stands next to a white minivan with North Carolina plates and several bullet holes, at the crime scene where gunmen kidnapped four U.S. citizens who crossed into Mexico from Texas, Friday, March 3, 2023. Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said the four Americans were going to buy medicine and were caught in the crossfire between two armed groups after they had entered Matamoros, across from Brownsville, Texas, on Friday. (AP Photo) (AP Photo)

Tamaulipas Gov. Américo Villarreal said Tuesday that one of the surviving Americans was wounded and the other was not, while two of the four U.S. citizens who traveled to Mexico were found dead, Reuters first reported. 

The missing Americans were abducted after being caught in the crossfire of rival rug cartels shortly after crossing the U.S. border with Mexico. 

FOUR AMERICANS KIDNAPPED IN MEXICO: WHAT WE KNOW

Mexican National Guard prepare a search mission for four U.S. citizens kidnapped by gunmen at Matamoros, Mexico, Monday, March 6, 2023. The White House called attacks on Americans "unacceptable" at a news conference on Tuesday. 

U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland said during a Tuesday news conference that he has been briefed by the FBI on the situation unfolding in Mexico and said the State Department was working with Mexican authorities on the investigation. He also expressed his sympathies for the victims' families. 

The four Americans were kidnapped in what authorities have called a case of mistaken identity. 

TWO OF THE FOUR AMERICANS KIDNAPPED IN MEXICO ARE DEAD, TWO ALIVE: REPORT

Mexican army soldiers prepare a search mission for four U.S. citizens kidnapped by gunmen at Matamoros, Mexico, Monday, March 6, 2023.  (AP Photo)

According to law enforcement, the group of Americans were traveling to Mexico for health services last week when the minivan they were driving was attacked by a group of armed men, who shot at the vehicle before dragging the Americans out and loading them into a truck. The four Americans were not thought to be the intended target of the attack.

The group crossed from Brownsville, Texas, into the Mexican city of Matamoros, Tamaulipas, an area that has been plagued by cartel violence and carries a travel advisory from the State Department warning Americans to avoid visiting.

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The FBI is offering a $50,000 reward for information leading to the return of the victims and arrests of those responsible.

Fox News' Michael Lee, the Associated Press, and Reuters contributed to this report.