US government issues security alert for downtown Juárez, Mexico, due to violence

Daniel Borunda | El Paso Times

The U.S Consulate in Juárez has issued a security alert for downtown Juárez due to the sharp rise in homicides, particularly daytime shootings.

The alert issued on Friday prohibits U.S. government personnel from visiting downtown Juárez without advance permission.

The warning for U.S. government staff covers official business and personal travel in Juárez west of Avenida de las Americas, the avenue leading to the Bridge of the Americas.

"All approved official travel must be in an armored vehicle," the alert said.

More: Barrio Azteca gang allegedly targeted rival drug dealers in Mexico border city of Juárez

U.S. citizens are advised to consider the travel restriction if planning to visit Juárez and to be aware of their surroundings and monitor local news reports.

The U.S. Consulate stated that the security alert will be reviewed in 30 days. Juárez has been featured in U.S. government travel warnings to Mexico for years.

More than 50 people have been slain in the first two weeks of July in the Mexican border city.

Juárez Police Department statistics released this week show that there were 180 homicides in June, compared with 120 in May.

More: Juárez homicides top 100 in the month of May as murders rise amid drug violence

There were 18 homicide arrests made by municipal police in June and May. Usually, those arrests occurred as suspects were detained by police while fleeing from a crime scene. Homicide investigations are handled by state police.

Slayings top 600 in 2018

Killings have topped 600 for the year in Juárez, according to a daily tally by Channel 44-XHIJ. There were about 700 homicides in all of last year.

Juárez Mayor Armando Cabada said last week that city, state and federal authorities were meeting to share information and come up with plans to deal with the violence that he described as worrisome.

The bloodshed is due to warring between drug-trafficking groups and gangs for control of drug-dealing territory, U.S. and Mexican law enforcement officials have said.

The killings have continued despite numerous arrests, including the capture of gang leaders.

More: FBI fugitive Barrio Azteca gang leader Eduardo Ravelo wanted in El Paso, caught in Mexico

More: Juárez police arrest alleged gang leader accused of double-cross fueling Mexico violence

Cartel hit squad arrest

A few days ago, Juárez police arrested four men suspected of being sicarios, or hit men, for La Linea crime organization, a police news release stated. La Linea also is known as the Juárez drug cartel.

The men are suspected in 19 homicides, including the deaths of four men who were gunned down at a hamburger stand June 26 and the death of a man left dismembered in black bags at a vacant home July 5, police said.

The alleged Juárez drug cartel hit squads' homicides include at least four killings this month and 10 deaths in June, police said.

Drug cartels in El Paso-Juarez region Three Mexican drug cartels operated in the El Paso-Juarez region

Daniel Borunda may be reached at 546-6102; dborunda@elpasotimes.com; @BorundaDaniel on Twitter.