030121/01
January 21, 2003, Los Pinos. The Mexican Presidency can report that moments after the earthquake felt today in several states of Mexico President Vicente Fox Quesada instructed the Secretary of Defense, General Clemente Ricardo Vega García, to carry out an inspection of the various areas affected to assess the damage and immediately take necessary steps.
He also instructed General Vega to coordinate immediate response actions in localities possibly affected by tonight's earthquake with the various federal government agencies concerned.
For its part, in the port city of Manzanillo, the Department of the Navy has put together two brigades with navy personnel from various services such as navy health, navy infantry, navy engineers, and an ambulance, to carry out inspections and assessments together with other authorities. Meanwhile, ground-based units and small vessels are patrolling the dock area. So far, only problems in the electricity supply have been reported.
The President will remain appraised of the information gathered over the next few hours to ensure that localities that might need attention and support receive it when necessary.