Mexican drug cartel menaces police chiefs

WASHINGTON, May 15 (UPI) -- Drug cartel attacks against Mexican police have become so violent and common some Mexican police chiefs are said to be seeking asylum in the United States.

Cartel-sponsored assassinations allegedly have claimed the lives of more than 25 police officers in Mexico since May 1, the Dallas Morning News reported Thursday. Among the victims was Edgar Millán Gómez, head of Mexico's federal police.

The report says three times in recent months Mexican police leaders have crossed the border and applied for political asylum in the United States.

The U.S. Congress is considering the Merida Initiative, the Bush administration's plan to provide Mexico up to $1.4 billion in training and equipment to help in the fight against organized drug cartels.