Photo Essay: Drug Violence in Juarez

DRUG VIOLENCE -- April 22, 2010 at 11:20 AM EDT

The city of Juárez, Mexico, across the border and a short drive from El Paso, has become known as Mexico's "murder capital," at the epicenter of drug violence that has plagued the country and escalated since 2008. Although official numbers are difficult to confirm, more than 2,600 people were believed to be killed in the area in 2009, and more than 600 people have been murdered in Juárez so far this year.

The violence has prompted policing changes in parts of Mexico. Recently the Mexican government started replacing the army with a federal police force in Ciudad Juarez.

Photographer and music and arts entrepreneur Jeff Antebi spent three days in the city in December, driving from crime scenes to funerals, documenting the impact of the violence on the community. His work is being featured as an exhibit in Month of Photography Los Angeles. He talked to us about his impressions of Juarez in an interview.

WARNING: Some images in this slide show depict graphic violence.

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