20 Killed in Mexican Prison Riot

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»

(NEWSER) - Some 15 vehicles packed with criminals wearing police uniforms arrived at a Mexico prison yesterday to free as many as 59 inmates linked to a drug cartel, reports the BBC. The men convinced guards they were members of the federal police there to conduct an inspection. Once inside, they overpowered the guards and fled with the prisoners. The army and federal police have launched a massive search near the Zacatecas prison facility in north central Mexico to recapture the crooks and their cohorts. More»

Troops descend on Juarez in bid to end cartel violence

(NEWSER) - Mexican police yesterday discovered the bodies of seven men and two women in the desert south of Ciudad Juarez yesterday, CNN reports. The grisly find comes as increasing violence among the country's drug cartels continues to shatter Juarez and other border cities. The conflict has already claimed over 400 lives this year. Some 5000 Mexican soldiers have arrived in the area in an attempt to stanch the rampaging violence. 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»