Mexico's Border Surge Working, For Now

By: Cami McCormick
Topics: World Watch

This story was filed by CBS Radio News correspondent Cami McCormick.

Driving down a dusty road separating Mexico from El Paso, Texas, U.S. border agent Jose Romero stops to question two teenage Mexican boys. They're standing underneath a low-hanging bridge over the Rio Grande. They tell Romero they're fishing. He doubts their story, but continues on.

More of a concern to border agents these days is the violence in Juarez, just down the road.

"A year ago, six months ago, it was almost shocking to hear of all the violence — to see it," he said. "We could see the bodies. We had individuals bound, ready to be executed, and they managed to get away and cross the river and ask our agents for protection. This is a very real war."

(CBS/Cami McCormick )

A shelter for U.S. border guards is riddled with bullet holes from Juarez gang members, taking aim from across the border.

The town itself was seeing as many as eight murders every day, and increasing concern the violence would spread. Then, weeks ago, Mexican troops surged into Juarez under the orders of President Felipe Calderon.

Romero stops at one spot along the Rio Grande and points out soldiers just across the river. They are well-armed and manning police vehicles, perhaps to re-instill confidence in the Mexican population in the nation's security forces. The police in Juarez were notoriously corrupt, paid-off by drug cartels. Now they've been disarmed by Mexican soldiers.

(AP Photo/Guillermo Arias)

At left, a Mexican marine stands guard along the U.S.-Mexico border in Tijuana, Mexico, March 18, 2009.

Meanwhile, the U.S. has increased the number of border agents here and they've been trained, Romero says, to deal with the possibility that the violence in Juarez could escalate.

But, for now, the Mexican surge appears to be working. There are fewer murders in Juarez, and U.S. agents are seizing fewer drugs crossing the border.

Still, ask most people here whether they think the peace will hold and they simply shake their heads. Some speculate the drug cartels may have called a ceasefire among themselves, only to prepare for all-out war on these Mexican security forces.

"At this point it seems the Mexican government has a foothold," Romero says, "but can it last? I just don't know. We're crossing our fingers."

8 Comments +

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by gay givens March 24, 2009 9:27 PM EDT: After watching the Feds make some European banks whole while American banks collasped, and watching tax- payer bailout money be used for bonuses for foreign executives who cannot be afftected by a 90% tax if we even tried to get the money back; I AM NOT in favor of helping Mexico stem the tide of weapons into Mexico from the US. I AM IN FAVOR of using American money and manpower to stem the tide of drugs, violence and illegal immigration into our country. We (Americans) should focus on what's coming north and let the Mexican govenrnment worry about what's coming south.; Reply to this comment


by diamruby March 24, 2009 5:51 PM EDT: I suggest all second time drug offenders be shipped to Mexico that way they can be closer to the drugs they need and keep alot of it out of our country. Since we are already paying the Mexican government for drug control these people should be well cared for. With all the illegals in the USA & all the money we are paying the Mexican government we own Mexico anyhow.; Reply to this comment


by bajajohn1 March 24, 2009 2:54 PM EDT: This is a very tough, complex situation. One solution is to let this massive shipments through customs and then track the shipments to their final destination. This method will allow the government to catch the money people and not just the mules with their shipment. Apparently, there is an unwillingness to do this. Can you imagine the fear factor among the mules, who might be aware their load was discovered but let through?; Reply to this comment


by tomadams99 March 24, 2009 12:40 PM EDT: The remark that the border surge is working is a ways off the mark. Let's wait and see what happens after the cartels reset the operations, before making rash assumptions that it has worked. This is not a MacDonald's style scenario of you get it right now.; Reply to this comment


by koko98-2009 March 24, 2009 10:31 AM EDT: The Mexicans are VERY careful about targeting Americans. The narcos know they can survive a straight up fight with the Mexican government, but the American military may not be as caring about Mexican civil and property rights. An air strike against some of their strong holds is not beyond the pale. I'm surprised that a squad of Minutemen on the border has not be wiped out yet.; Reply to this comment


by clancy49 March 24, 2009 10:02 AM EDT: A temporary ceasefire at best. A photo op perhaps. Since Mexico was stolen from its people by Europeans, the elite have exploited the indigenous people and the natural resources. If anyone thinks it is different in the USA, you may need to think again. Blood, death, war, corruption, is all about elite greed and the use of the fodder.; Reply to this comment


by johnb8888 March 24, 2009 8:54 AM EDT: The troubles will continue as long as American and Mexican Billionaires can make money from it.

Start fining employers who hire illegals for real, and the illegal traffic will slow and stop.

But that would negatively impact the personal fortunes of some of America's leading citizens.; Reply to this comment


by geminispyder-2009 March 24, 2009 8:01 AM EDT: I would like to thank the Mexican and American governments for finally responding to this problem--30+ years after the border states started complaining this was a problem.

Better late than never.; Reply to this comment

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