Mexican Foreign Secretary Patricia Espinosa criticized the unfounded discrimination experienced by some Mexican citizens in other countries due to the fear of infection from the Influenza A (H1N1) virus, formerly known as swine flu.

At a press conference, the secretary said that she was surprised with the decision of ‘brother’ countries such as Peru, Ecuador, Argentina, and Cuba for suspending flights to Mexico. She also declared unacceptable the actions taken by China whose authorities quarantined dozens of Mexicans upon learning that one among these is a confirmed case of infection.

While Mexico accused China of unfair discrimination, China defended its action as a ‘purely medical’ move. The quarantined Mexicans have been flown back to Mexico on a specially-chartered flight.

In retaliation, Espinosa recommended Mexican citizens not to travel to China, as response to the preventive measures imposed by Beijing such as ‘unjustified isolation of Mexicans who have no symptoms.’

Apart from the suspension of flights, other countries have taken equally controversial measures to protect their citizens. For example, Colombia and Chile this week refused to give their stadiums to Mexican sports clubs.

Espinosa said that she has sent instructions to all the embassies of Mexico ‘to express the unequivocal condemnation of such actions to Mexico.’

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Via BBC