Pubdate: Tue, 01 Feb 2011 Source: El Paso Times (TX) Copyright: 2011 El Paso Times Contact: http://www.elpasotimes.com/townhall/ci_14227323 Website: http://www.elpasotimes.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/829 FEDERAL POLICE: JUAREZ MAYOR RIGHTFULLY UPSET Now Juarez has a rift between two groups charged with keeping the peace -- the "good guys" in the long battle to rid Mexico of drug-cartels. A bodyguard for Juarez Mayor Hector Murguia was shot outside a residence where Murguia was having dinner last week. And four federal agents have been arrested -- to determine who pulled the trigger. The two sides, which are supposed to be on the same side, have conflicting stories. Thus we can understand why Murguia was scheduled to be in Mexico City on Friday to get some answers. We can understand Murguia's frustration, and even his contemplation of asking the federal government to pull its troops out of the city. This shooting comes amid a long list of citizen complaints about abuse levied by federal police and the Mexican army; there's also much criticism that their presence has not helped quell drug-cartel violence. Seldom is there an arrest, but 3,100 persons were killed in 2010, 2,600 in 2009 and 1,600 in the first year of terror, 2008. Murguia's other protectors said the slain guard, Jorge Humberto Munoz Perez, had dropped his weapon and raised his hands, then was shot. Murguia said another bodyguard saved himself by hitting the ground. Federal agents said they had received a report of men carrying weapons. Upon arriving at the scene, they said they were only protecting themselves because the men had guns pointed in their direction. Witnesses said the man who was killed had identified himself as a bodyguard for the mayor. Murguia said he went to the nearby hotel where federal police officers are lodged. He said ... "We were received with profanities." Federal police said they did not know Murguia was the mayor. This is a disconnect of the most serious nature -- federal police shooting a protector of the mayor. And both sides giving conflicting stories. Federal police in Juarez had been doing a poor job of making the city safe from drug violence -- and now they are shooting the wrong people. Murguia has every right to be incensed. - --- MAP posted-by: Jo-D