In response to the killings of two U.S. federal workers near Juarez, Mexico last weekend, American and Mexican investigators are cracking down on violence along the border and Americans are being advised not to travel to the region.
Mexico's drug war has claimed nearly 20,000 victims since Mexican president Felipe Calderon ordered the army to patrol the country's streets in 2006.
Juarez has seen the most violence, with more than 2,600 murders last year alone. But other cities, including popular beach resorts, have seen violence as well. Last weekend, 27 people died in the Pacific vacation spot of Acapulco.
As a result, American college students heading to Mexico for spring break are taking extra precautions, including hiring bodyguards.
Quotes
"This is a common challenge. There is violence along the border. At various times, it has spilled across on to the U.S. side of that border. But I think we are determined, as are Mexican authorities, to get to the bottom of this particular tragedy, but also do everything we can to restore the rule of law in Mexico." - P.J. Crowley, assistant secretary of state for public affairs
"[These killings] really stunned people here along the border, because there's a sense, maybe false sense, of security on the part of U.S. government employees. The thought is that the drug cartels wouldn't go after such high-profile targets because it would draw a lot of attention and response from the U.S. government." - Angela Kocherga, border bureau chief for Belo television and newspapers
"Most people feel like they're prisoners in their own homes in Juarez, and you do have thousands of Americans who crisscross this border to visit relatives in Mexico, because they have business in Mexico. And, really, at this point, most people are only going if they have a compelling reason to cross the border into Juarez." - Angela Kocherga, border bureau chief for Belo television and newspapers
Warm Up Questions
1. What do you know about Mexico?
2. Where is Juarez, Mexico? What cities lie along the border region of Mexico and the U.S.?
Discussion Questions
1. How were the recent attacks different from those in the past? Why are U.S. and Mexican officials especially concerned?
2. What groups are involved in this drug war? Why do you think they got involved in the drug trade, and why do they fight each other?
3. Why do you think Americans are being targeted in these drug wars?
4. If you were planning a trip to Mexico for spring break, would you go? Why or why not? Would you take any extra precautions?
5. What is happening to reporters who are trying to cover the violence in Mexico? Why do you think this is happening to them?
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