Authorities have revealed that a top security official in Mexico was wounded and at least four other people were killed when gunmen attacked her near her home in Michoacan.

The Los Angeles Times reported on Sunday that Minerva Bautista Gomez, public security minister for Michoacan -- the home state of Mexican President Felipe Calderon -- was attacked Saturday by gunmen armed with high-caliber weapons.

The report said that the attackers blocked a highway before opening fire on Bautista's armored sport utility vehicle and bodyguard escort. Two of Bautista's bodyguards and two motorists were killed and at least 10 people were wounded in a gun battle that ended with the attackers fleeing the scene.

The Times also said that more than 22,700 people have been killed in drug-related violence in Mexico during the past 3 1/2 years.

Such violence has grown worse in Michoacan, owing largely to the appearance of a relatively new drug cartel, La Familia, which has grown more powerful by driving out rival cartels and taking over some local government offices.

Six people were killed on Saturday in fighting with federal military forces in the northern Mexico state of Nuevo Leon, authorities further informed.

The newspaper also said that former U. S. President Bill Clinton, appearing in Mexico City and Acapulco for weekend speaking engagements, called on the United States and Mexico to improve cooperation on fighting drug trafficking and reducing the flow of weapons into Mexico from the United States. (With Inputs from Agencies)