Mexico City , Mexico ( CNN ) -- Three members of the family of a Mexican marine who died in a shootout last week were killed Tuesday in the southern state of Tabasco , Mexican President Felipe Calderon said . Marine 3rd Petty Officer Melquisedec Angulo Cordova was fatally shot during a gunbattle that resulted in the killing of Arturo Beltran Leyva , one of Mexico 's most wanted drug lords . The killing of his family members has raised speculation in Mexico that it was an act of retaliation by the Beltran Leyva 's drug cartel , CNN en Español reported . Very early Tuesday , gunmen entered the family 's home and opened fire , killing Angulo Cordova 's mother , sister and a third relative , the state-run Notimex news agency reported . Angulo Cordova 's brother was injured in the shooting , the agency said . Angulo Cordova was the only military fatality in last week 's operation against Beltran Leyva in Cuernavaca , Mexico . Six other drug cartel members also died in the confrontation . Beltran Leyva 's death was a huge blow to one of Mexico 's most violent groups , authorities said . The killings were `` a cowardly and contempible act , '' Calderon said in a speech Tuesday . `` These reprehensible acts demonstrate the unscrupulous way with which organized crime operates . '' The cartel is based out of the Pacific state of Sinaloa . In another incident Tuesday , local media in Sinaloa reported that the state 's director of tourism was gunned down , together with a bodyguard .
Three relatives of Mexican marine killed , President Felipe Calderon says . Marine was killed in shootout with drug cartel last week . Drug lord Arturo Beltran Leyva also was killed in last week 's incident .