Nine Bodies Discovered Near Ciudad Juarez

Jorge Luis Aguirre got death threat in 2008

(AP) - A Mexican journalist who was the target of death threats like those made by drug cartels says he has been granted asylum in the US in a case believed to be the first of its kind since the country's bloody drug war began. Death threats are at the heart of thousands of Mexican asylum requests received each year by the US, which grants only a fraction of the petitions. Even people who cross the border with fresh bullet wounds or whose family members have been tortured by drug gangs can face long odds. More»

Drug violence overshadows celebrations

(NEWSER) - At midnight, Mexico marked 200 years since the start of the rebellion that won it independence from Spain, but much of the country isn't in the mood for a fiesta. The war between the government and drug cartels has claimed 28,000 lives since 2006, and public festivities have been scaled down or canceled in many places. The Mexican Revolution against the country's oligarchy kicked off in the country's centennial year, analysts note, and Mexico may now be headed for another shake-up that will strengthen the rule of law. More»

Troops sent in after drug gangs clash inside high-security prison

(NEWSER) - At least 20 prisoners died yesterday as rival Mexican drug gangs clashed in a prison outside Ciudad Juarez, CNN reports. Hundreds of police and soldiers put down the uprising after two hours. Fighting began as spouses were leaving at the end of conjugal visits, officials said. The high-security prison is home to many of the nation's most dangerous drug traffickers. More»

Mexico pushes to retake control of border city from warring cartels

(NEWSER) - Thousands of Mexican troops are pouring into Ciudad Juarez as the government tries to prevent total anarchy in the country's most violent city, reports Reuters. More than 2,000 people have been killed in the border city during the last year as drug cartels—in league with corrupt cops—battle for supremacy. The army plans to have 7,500 troops in place by the end of the week. More»

(NEWSER) - Arizona’s three state universities are following the State Department and attempting to dissuade students from spending spring break in Mexican border towns, a traditional pastime, because of drug-associated violence there, the AP reports. One federal official called the warning “sage advice,” noting “documented violence, attacks, killings” and gunfire in public places. “Innocent people have been caught up in that collateral damage,” he said. More»