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Mexico says it will sue BP over oil spill in the Gulf

By the CNN Wire Staff
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
  • Official estimates Mexico has so far spent $35 million on monitoring costs
  • No oil has been detected in Mexican waters to date

(CNN) -- The Mexican government is planning to make BP and the United States pay for damages and for costs associated with the company's ruptured oil well in the Gulf of Mexico, the state news agency Notimex reported Monday.

Environment Minister Juan Elvira told the news agency the government will sue BP for environmental damages and for the money Mexico spent on monitoring the spill. Although the Notimex report said the Mexican government plans to make both BP and the United States pay, it was not clear from the story whether Mexico is planning to file suit against the U.S. government as well as the company.

BP's ruptured oil well in the Gulf in the Mexico has so far leaked an estimated 4.9 million barrels of oil, according to a revised estimate from U.S. experts tasked with determining the flow rate.

"Mexican scientists are working to estimate the damages through satellite imagery and flyovers," said Elvira, who spoke at a conference on climate change at the National Autonomous University in Mexico, according to Notimex.

As of yet, no oil has been found in Mexican waters, Elvira told the news agency, though he added Mexico has already spent $35 million monitoring the spill.