Mexico Deploys 577 Heavily Armed Police To U.S. Border Town Of Juarez, To Quell Violence

November 3, 2009 1:57 p.m. EST

Mexico City, Mexico (AHN) - Mexican officials say 577 policemen have been deployed to Mexico's most violent city, Ciudad Juarez. The police officers received special training from the nation's army prior to deployment in the embattled city rife with violence.

Ciudad Juarez Mayor Jorge Reyes Ferriz made the announcement early this week and says that in addition to the large number of police presence. The police have been given weapons and training that are usually only available to the Mexican army, under an agreement with the nation's Defense Ministry.

Monday's latest move is the third time government officials have had to send in additional law enforcement officers. The city is now filled with an additional 1,778 specially-trained police staff.

Ciudad Juarez, which is located across the border from the U.S. City of El Paso, Texas accounts for 40 percent of Mexico's murder cases, although it has less than 2 percent of the nation's population. Smuggling gangs use the city as a transport hub to ship cocaine into the United States.

The ever-present violence and growing cartel wars has contributed to more and more Mexicans who live near the border the United States to have a residence in El Paso. Many see living in the U.S. As a way to escape the danger of kidnappings, extortion and executions that is a daily occurrence.