Pubdate: Mon, 16 Mar 2009
Source: El Paso Times (TX)
Copyright: 2009 El Paso Times
Contact: http://www.elpasotimes.com/formnewsroom
Website: http://www.elpasotimes.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/829
Author: Ramon Bracamontes

HEAVY MILITARY PRESENCE SLOWS VIOLENCE IN JUAREZ

JUAREZ - The killings appear to have slowed in the murder capital of
North America.

Three hundred homicides, or about five a day, occurred in Juarez in
the first two months of the year. During the last two weeks, the death
toll is down to one or two a day.

Experts say an influx of military might - 3,200 additional Mexican
soldiers arrived on March 1 and another 1,500 on Sunday - has calmed
the city. But they also say the soldiers' presence does not guarantee
an end to the drug war or the carnage of the last 14 months, when
Juarez had almost 2,000 murders.

"I walked at night throughout Downtown Juarez the other day and was
amazed as to how peaceful it was. It was relaxed," said Howard
Campbell, an anthropology professor at the University of Texas at El
Paso.

Prostitutes back on La Paz Street in the Downtown district provided
another sign that fear had lessened. They had all but disappeared
during the murder rampage. The violence kept their customers from
venturing into the city.

Campbell, who specializes in Latin America studies and has written
about the Mexican drug lords and cartels, said the decrease in the
daily violence had to be attributed to the increased military
presence. "The killings have slowed with some exceptions," he said.

The FBI staff in El Paso, which monitors crime in Juarez, also said
the most significant change appeared to be soldiers enforcing the law.

"One would assume that has caused the drop in killings," said Special
Agent Andrea Simmons.

Eighteen homicides have occurred during the last 12 days in the city
of 1.7 million. At least a half-dozen of the killings were stabbings
during fights. They were not believed to be connected to the drug war,
officials said.

By contrast, in the 12 days just before the military's presence grew,
85 homicides were committed, Juarez officials said. Fifteen of those
killings occurred in one day. During the weekend, police found nine
bodies, seven men and two women, who apparently were killed and buried
several weeks ago, before the military buildup.

Many of the homicides in February were executions and mid-day ambushes
by commandos, who emptied their AK-47s into cars.

Rafael Navarro, who works in a department store in Juarez central's
retail district near the Our Lady of Guadalupe Cathedral, said the
drop in violence was easy to notice.

"Things appear to be getting better," said Navarro, who has lived in
Juarez for 18 years. "There are more people out at the stores now.
Just listen. This mercado is alive again."

The store where he works, VestiCentro, now is staying open until 8
p.m. It had been closing at 6 p.m.

Juarez and Chihuahua state officials estimate that as many as 7,000
soldiers and 2,300 federal police officers are now patrolling the
streets in Juarez. Throughout the day, military vehicles that each
carry five or six soldiers can be seen cruising neighborhoods. Machine
guns are mounted on some of the soldiers' vehicles.

Also apparent are an increased number of federal police officers in
new blue uniforms that make them easily identifiable. A squad of about
20 federal officers in riot gear is stationed at the foot of the Paso
Del Norte Bridge.

Just about every Mexican official, from President Felipe Calderon to
the country's attorney general to the mayor of Juarez, has said that
violence seemed to be ending in Juarez and throughout Mexico. In 2008,
a total of 6,290 killings attributed to the drug war occurred
throughout the country.

Still, Juarez remains a concern, said Mexico's Attorney General
Eduardo Medina Mora. The city was a powder keg last month, and the
relative peace may be fragile. He said Juarez ranks as one of the
larger Mexico cities where violence was prevalent.

In an show that tranquility had returned to Juarez, Mayor Jose Reyes
Ferriz met with various local, state and national officials on
Thursday. Among those at the session were Mexico's national security
adviser, Enrique Tallo Peon, and Chihuahua Gov. Jose Reyes Baeza.

Baeza would only say that the increased patrols and military presence
in Juarez will continue for as long as needed. Under the plan, Joint
Operation Chihuahua soldiers and federal officers have stepped in to
help run the city's police department and its prison.

The next step, officials at the meeting said, is for the business
community and neighborhood organizations to help.

"As citizens and business people we are pleased about this cooperation
because this problem can not be solved solely by the police or by us,"
said Carlos Murguia, director of economic development in Juarez. "We
have to work together."

Juarez resident, Ismael Alvidrez Mejia, who works to improve housing
and health care for elderly people, said the citizenry is ready to
help the government. He cautioned that, although the city appears to
be safer and the violence may be ending, it is too early to tell.
Somebody shot and killed a lawyer as he drove his Mercedes through a
busy intersection last week, one signal that the violence remained
close to the surface.

"One killing is too many," Alvidrez Mejia said. "As residents we must
remain calm and confident. If we lose our calmness and confidence, we
will fall into the chaos that is around, and chaos will get us nowhere."
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MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin