Daniel Murguia, president of the Cuidad Juarez chapter of the National Chamber of Commerce, on November 12th, proposed that international forces should supplement the army. Citing that UN peace keepers have been sent to places facing lower levels of violence.
The Mexican army acting with local law enforcement had some success initial but violence levels are back to pre-deployment levels. Many ask if the army can not handle the problems what recourse is left? City officials are considering international help in a move that might surprise many north of the border.
The lucrative drug trade has a substantial foothold in Cuidad Juarez with many business owners forced to pay protection money and police officers forced to hide their identity. Tortured bodies are dumped in the street next to execution victims.
The problems are basically a state of war according to Oscar Maynez, a criminologist in the city.
Soledad Maynez, the president of the city’s Association of Maquiladoras (factories), warns that the violence could overflow into El Paso and force the U.S. to intervene.
Written by Seamus Esparza
Posted November 21st, 2009 by Seamus Esparza
