Frontera NorteSur, November 1999

Editor's Note: Due to upcoming holiday scheduling and staffing changes, Frontera NorteSur will be posting a combined December 1999/January 2000 issue in mid December. "Today's News" will not be posted daily December 23-January 4. However, regular posting will resume as of January 4. Thank you, as always, for your readership. AMM

Sunday, December 19, 1999: Traditional Christmas Story Takes Border Approach

Representatives of community religions and the Border Solidarity Group collaborated this weekend to present a new version of "La Posada" which tells the traditional Catholic story of Mary and Joseph's search for an inn when they entered Bethlehem for the census. This newer vision "An Inn Without Borders," carried a message of binantional cooperation and was performed at Chamizal Park and then moved toward the international bridge.

"You'll see that this is a little different," explained Father Francisco Pellizzari, director of the Migrant House who cooperated in the effort. The songs were in fact a dialogue between the U.S. and México.

México: In the name of justice, I look for solidarity, I crossed the line at night, I walked without documentation.

U.S.: You do not bring your misery, nor do you come to cause trouble, I will tell the Border Patrol to allow you to fly.

The dialogue grows more controversial, as the U.S. begins to resist the the request of the Mexicans. Both groups approach the border from opposite sides until the group stands between the two countries' flags on the bridge. This is where Mary and Joseph join the group.

Again in song, the two entities make peace, and the event concludes with all parts singing:

"We go together as a village, as brothers and sisters, we will plant justice in the barrio, and it will shine as brightly as a star."

Source: El Diario

Saturday, December 18: Colonia Residents Protest Fuel Shortage

Residents form 15 different colonias of Cd. Juárez met in front of the Federal Consumer Attorney General's Office (Profeco) yesterday to protest the shortage of fuel that has developed in recent weeks. The group also denounced the fuel agency for violation of civil rights.

According to the protesters, they are shorted when they fill their gas containers, they are mistreated by sales representatives, and they are charged at rates beyond the authorized limits. The group also requested Profeco's support in condemning gas companies such as Pemex that many believe are actually behind recent problems.

The group has threatened creating roadblocks to pressure Pemex into responding to their claims and their placards at the protest included "We have no gas because of Pemex." As the cooler weather is upon the region, many are worried that they can't heat their homes.

Forty-five kilogram containers of gas are sold at approximately $25 (U.S.), and the official price is $17. However, according to Rita Gaytán, "Due to the demand of the users, the price is going up" because the fuel is sparce. Gabriel Tejeda Figueroa, a delegate for the federal agency, said they are running at 40 percent shortage. One hundred thousand families have been effected by this.

Officials also recommended that customers make sure to get their receipts or information from the vendors, so they have documentation to provide with their complaints.

Source: El Diario

Friday, December 17, 1999: Illegal Border Crossings Increase During Christmas Season

As border crossings increase over the holidays, U.S. Border Patrol has issued a massive campaign to deter the flow of undocumented immigrants and to care for anyone injured along the way.

According to the U.S. Border Patrol, the number of undocumented immigrants crossing to and from the U.S. increases during the Christmas season because many Mexicans return home to visit their families, they must then sneak back across. Crossing the river proves dangerous since many immigrants are forced to hire smugglers (Coyotes) who will aid them on their quest across the border, but it's usually for a price, sometimes as high as $500 per person, and there are no safety guarantees.

Large groups are often stuffed into tractor-trailers and may travel long distances without food or water, as they cross the border by land. Others are guided by coyotes to areas that are better to swim cross than others, but once there, you're on your own. Most El Paso/Cd. Juárez crossers do so alone, according to Rick Lucio, senior patrol agent in El Paso. Last December El Paso Border Patrol Sector reported 5,294 apprehensions of people illegally crossing, and in the following month, there were 11,503.

As part of their anti-crossing campaign the U.S. Border Patrol has posted signs at popular crossing sections and public service announcements warning immigrants about the severe risk factors involved in crossing during winter weather. They have also put emergency medical teams on alert.

The Border Patrol believes that saving lives is the most important factor in their massive campaign efforts. "We are an agency that carries a 75-year tradition of saving lives on the border, but there isn't a lot we can do for people who trust their lives to a coyote," Luis Barker, Chief Patrol Agent, said.

Source: El Paso Times

Thursday, December 16, 1999: Local Experts Chosen For Border Health Commission

Three local medical experts were chosen yesterday to sit on the U.S.-México Border Health Commission which will address health issues that are of binational concern.

Dr. Laurance Nickey, former director of the El Paso City-County Health and Environmental District, Dr. Catherine Torres, pediatrician for the First Step Pediatric Center at Memorial Medical Center in Las Cruces, and Jeffrey Brandon, associate dean of the College of Health and Social Services at New Mexico State University were chosen to sit on the 13-member commission.

According to U.S. Rep. Silvestre Reyes, D-El Paso, "The commission will operate in an apolitical arena where it can make recommendations to the U.S. Congress and the Mexican Congress." This project has been in the works for many years, and according to Reyes, México has recently agreed to join the effort.

For Dr. Nickey, this commission is important because "Everybody can look at each other and talk as equals, as friends and as colleagues, about issues that involve the health and welfare of the 11.5 million people who live along the border."

A hub for the commission may be in El Paso, but it has also been proposed that each U.S. border state have its own state-level border health commission office.

Source: El Paso Times, KRWG Las Cruces

Wednesday, December 15, 1999: Cd. Juárez Fights Bad Publicity With A Fiesta

Some 80,000 people, including the governor, mayor, and world famous singer Juan Gabriel, hit the streets on Tuesday to celebrate the city's newly renovated main drag Avenida de Juárez, and to rid the city of the bad publicity it is has received recently.

Never before has a city-wide celebration grown quite this large, according to El Diario, and municipal police spokesperson Pedro Torres Estrada reported that although the authorities had no idea so many people would show up, the whole celebration transpired without injury.

From eleven in the morning through to the afternoon, crowds lined the street to escort Cd. Juárez native Juan Gabriel from his home to his newly built night club NoaNoa. There the popular artist performed traditional and contemporary songs with the accompaniment of mariachis and to the absolute delight of Juarenses. He dedicated the newly renovated street "The Stroll of Lights," and marked his hand prints in his new business.

Mayor Gustavo Elizondo emphasized that the major purpose of this event "is to erase the poor image that has shaken our dear city with the negative publicity we have relieved these last few weeks." This party is one of many attempts city and state officials have made to prove that this major industrial border city is more than what recent reports have lead the world to believe.

Since December 1, the world has watched Mexican and U.S. federal and state authorities search the property of several ranches in Cd. Juárez believed to be owned by the Juárez drug cartel. It is rumored that some 100 assassination victims are buried in mass graves at these sites; eight bodies have been found since the story first broke.

Source: El Diario

Tuesday, December 14, 1999: Winter Weather On Border Packs Emergency Rooms

Three hospital associations have reported that their emergency rooms are saturated since the winter weather struck the border last week bringing wind, snow and freezing temperatures. The majority of patients are pre-school age or the elderly and are attended for respiratory problems.

The emergency care services of the Red Cross, the General Hospital and the Mexican Institute of Social Welfare reported that they are each attending approximately 30 cases of respiratory illness every day including ear, nose and throat infections, bronchitis, and pneumonia. Most of the cases can be turned over to family doctors after the initial diagnosis as long as no complications exist.

However, malnutrition can quickly complicate matters and health provides are encouraging people to stay warm and covered, drink plenty of fluids and eat well balanced diets that include as much fruit high in vitamin C as possible.

Most importantly, patients should not self medicate. According to Laura Carillo Moreno, director of emergency services for the General Hospital, "Self medicating may very well mask the symptoms of a serious illness and therefore should be avoided." As soon as symptoms appear patients should get to outpatient services and not wait until they need emergency care.

Source: El Diario

Monday, December 13, 1999: New Mexican Firefighters Can't Douse Mexican Flames

Last Monday, U.S. firefighters from Columbus, New Mexico, crossed the border into Palomas, México to assist in an emergency call and have since found themselves under investigation by the local government.

Walter Simpson, fire chief for Columbus, is being investigated for disobeying a city ordinance which was passed months ago and restricted city firefighters from performing their job on the other side of the border. He and six volunteer firefighters had answered an outside call from emergency workers in Palomas asking for assistance to extinguish a fire.

The Columbus mayor, Ken Riley, is following orders from the New Mexico Fire Chief George Chávez, who says Columbus cannot fight fires in México because their budget is designed only to extinguish U.S. blazes.

Source: El Diario

Sunday, December 12, 1999: Mexican Nationals Still Face Difficulties Crossing Border

Although the Mexican federal government indefinitely postponed what was to be greatly increased fees for anyone traveling into the interior of the country, Mexicans living in the U.S. are still having a hard time getting across the border.

Mexican nationals complained on Saturday that they were being searched at two different inspection stations. Initially they are checked on the international bridge, which is standard, however, they are also being thoroughly searched at Kilometer 30, the checkpoint that marks moving out of the border zone and into the interior of the country.

The reason for this search, according to officials from Border Customs, is that 30 percent of travelers going through the checkpoints are bringing in merchandise that they are not declaring.Gerardo Delgado Cruz, customs employee said "If they made it through the bridge, they're going to get caught here."

However, Mexican national Carlos Bucio Torres said, "This is bad. Where is the Paisano program? In the U.S. it's difficult enough, and then we come here where we are treated even worse." Torres complained of being stopped at the bridge, at Kilometer 30 and then again at the checkpoints along the highway.

Meanwhile, requests for temporary permits to take vehicles into the interior have increased by 20 percent in the last week.

Source: El Diario

Saturday, December 11, 1999: Elderly Couple Receives Birth Certificates

Doña Concepción Terrones Arellano and don Francisco Márquez Rivera, 88 and 89, lifetime residents of the border state of Chihuahua, received their birth certificates for the first time ever and believe "this was the best possible Christmas present" they could have asked for.

The elderly couple visited the Civil Registry in Cd. Chihuahua on Wednesday of this week and although they were unable to get upstairs to the appropriate office, the civil workers brought the necessary paperwork to them on the first floor. They can now receive their social security pensions.

Doña Arellano never had her birth registered because she"was born on May 9, 1911, during the Revolution." She feels that she is now a real citizen.

Don Rivera also attributed his lack of documentation to the Revolution. "They didn't register me because I was born in the heart of the revolution, 1910 . . . Now I can get my passport."

The couple has four children, 18 grandchildren and 25 great grandchildren.

Source: El Diario

Friday, December 10, 1999: Juárez Reputation Defended In The Region And Beyond

The image of Cd. Juárez has been damaged recently by media coverage of alleged mass graves believed to hold up to 100 victims of drug trafficker assaults. In an effort to protect the city's reputation the municipal government of Cd. Juárez has purchased an advertisement in The Washington Post and local publications have expressed their concern.

The ad in the Post, which cost the city and private investors some $30,000, was placed this week and specifically criticizes comments made by U.S. President Bill Clinton. "Assigning a nationality to drug cartels, as President William Clinton did, ignores how these organizations operate and how they involve criminals from many countries."

Javier de Anda, spokesman for Cd. Juárez, said that "as a community, Cd. Juárez has been hurt by this bad publicity. We will continue to use the local, regional, national and international media to set the record straight." Media coverage has referred to the "killing fields" of the area, but officials involved are determined to remind the world of the intense effort they have made in cooperating with the U.S. in the fight against drugs, and that the city is more than drug cartels.

Editors from two border U.S. papers, The Las Cruces Sun News and El Paso Times have both supported the border community while acknowledging not only the tragedies related to security and drug trafficking in the large Mexican city, but the importance of solid reporting.

"The vast majority of the residents along both sides of the U.S.-México border are hardworking, decent citizens who get along just great together," wrote Harold Cousland of the Sun News. "Relations with México exist on different levels, and away from the problems with crimes . . . people in both countries still get along and work on joint ports of entry and economic development." Cousland goes on to note the successful trade and business relationships between the border cities. "Far after the stories fade about bodies . . . the foundations laid by the citizens of the United Sates with their neighboring citizens in México will do the most to improve relations between the two countries."

Bernadette Self of the Times wrote "It should go without saying that most people who live in this border microcosm aren't drug lords (or) serial killers . . . They're ordinary hard-working folks who care about their community and want their kids to have bright futures. . . El Paso and Juárez need to solve their problems together." Self emphasizes the importance of coming to terms with the large degree of corruption, on both sides of the border, and also recognizing that the two cities are "joined at the hip."

Source: El Paso Times, Las Cruces Sun News

Thursday, December 9, 1999: Border Cities Collaborate To Identify Murder Victims

Texas authorities have recently published pictorial records of 96 unidentified bodies that have been located in different parts of the state, and Chihuahua officials believe there may be links between these victims and the numerous missing persons reports for women in the region over the last six years.

Of the 96 pictures of unidentified bodies published by Texas authorities, 12 of the females are believed to be of Mexican origin and apparently match the characteristics of many of the female murder victims in Cd. Juárez since 1993. The bodies are dark skinned, thin, have long dark hair and have been strangled.

Suly Ponce Prieto, special investigator of the murders of women for the State of Chihuahua Attorney General's office, is working with El Paso police authorities in hopes of making positive identifications and solving some of the many unsolved crimes against women in the state.

"The agents will compare each of the photographs or portraits produced by the American authorities with photographs we have of people reported missing over the last ten years." Her office is also depending on the media to widely publish these images with hopes that further tips will come in.

The publication of of these photographs occurred along with recent and extensive media coverage on the border region because of eight bodies found on ranches in Cd. Juárez. The bodies are believed to be the first of many that will be linked to drug trafficking crimes.

No direct links between the drug trafficking murders and the numerous murders of women in Cd. Juárez have been made. However, one of the ranches being excavated is directly across the road from a desert area where numerous bodies of women have been found over the last six years.

Source: El Diario, El Norte

Wednesday, December 8, 1999: Tourism Increases in Cd. Juárez

Cd. Juárez has drawn more visitors over the last year, with a 1.1 percent increase in tourism compared to 1998 according to the Chihuahua State Department of Business and Tourism Development.

Well over a million tourists visited the city through the third trimester of 1999; and of those 882,687 were nationals while the others were foreigners. The majority of visitors, 72.56 percent, came for business , while 20.67 percent came for pleasure and 6.75 percent for other reasons. Along with the visitors an estimated $73 million U.S. was generated.

Tourism plays a crucial role in the economic development of a nation, according to a report by the National Institute of Statistics, Geography and Computer Science (Inegi). Tourism not only generates income but contributes to the development of tourist businesses such as lodging, restaurants and bars, travel agencies, transportation and art and culture. Also, tourism provides motivation for national and foreign investment as well as the development of infrastructure.

According to Oscar Veliz Quiroga, analyst for the Department of Tourism and Statistic Information, Cd. Juárez has peculiar characteristics of economic and industrial development because of its border location and migrant population.

Source: El Diario

Tuesday, December 7, 1999: Cd. Juárez World Leader In Production

Cd. Juárez was ranked first in the production of automobile upholstery and seat belts, and third in the production of television sets. Additionally Fortune magazine rated the border city the 12th best investment in Latin America because of its booming import and export businesses.

According to Carlos Manuel Salas, spokesperson for México's Federal Industry and Commerce Department (Secofi), Cd. Juárez has topped the charts in production. "At times we can lose sight of the extraordinary importance that Cd. Juárez has as an industrial city . . . it is the most industrious city in the country and perhaps the world."

Every second in Cd. Juárez the seat belts and the upholstery for two cars are completed; and every three seconds one television is completed. Additionally, in 1998, 475 million dollars came into Cd. Juárez from foreign investments including the U.S., China, Japan, Korea, Britain, Canada and France.

Salas also noted that Cd. Juárez is generating more investment than approximately 60 percent of the entire country. There are more than 400 thousands jobs in Cd. Juárez that pay superior to most states in México. This potential creates a better atmosphere for upward career movement for residents.

"Many times the negative aspects of the city receive more attention, however, the developing business atmosphere in Cd. Juárez is one of the most attractive and successful foreign investment attractions in the world," Salas said.

Source: El Diario

Monday, December 6, 1999: Cold Front Hits; Border Sees First Carbon Monoxide Victim

As happens each year on the border when the cold weather hits, many people attempt heating their residences in whatever way they can. And as happens each year, community members suffer hospitalizations or fatalities due to poor equipment or ventilation or both. The first such death occurred yesterday in Cd. Juárez.

An indigent man, Roberto Ortiz, 37, died in Cd. Juárez on Sunday from smoke inhalation when he tried to heat the abandoned barn where he was staying. Last week 15 people were hospitalized due to the inhalation of carbon monoxide, however they all received medical attention quickly enough to avoid great injury.

Medical experts still need to perform an autopsy on Ortiz, but once the fire was extinguished and his body was found with a smoke-covered his face, nostrils and hands, it was believed that he had died of smoke inhalation.

The Municipal Department of Civil Protection and the Fire Department have again put out warnings against using gas space heaters or lighting fires while you sleep or in poorly ventilated areas or using gas stoves as heaters.

Source: El Diario

Sunday, December 5, 1999: Norfluor Investigation Includes Employees' Health

After two ammonia explosions occurred last summer the Norfluor plant in Cd. Juárez has suffered steep fines and has undergone site, safety and administration investigations. The plant continues to be scrutinized, and in response to inquiries from local health officials, medical examinations of Norfluor employees and neighbors living near the plant will begin this Monday.

According to the Department of Epidimological Services of the State health department, Norfluor was supposed to examine employees three times a year because of their exposure to dangerous substances. However, only after this summer's explosion, did an examination occur. Results are yet to be distributed but site investigations found that the Norfluor plant has 27 safety problems which all caused not only great health risk but endangered the lives of the employees.

When the medical authorities begin their examinations they will specifically look for problems in the thorax and vision as well as overall physical condition and they will do blood work looking for high concentrations of calcium or fluoride.

"The plant has the obligation of examining their employees three times a year, and we will know better what actions to take against their irresponsibility once the employees undergo these medical tests," Elisa Aguilar Jiménez, director of Sanitary Jurisdiction II.

Source: El Diario

Saturday, December 4, 1999: Cd. Juárez Loses Red Cross Services

The Red Cross Service of Cd. Juárez will be discontinuing the hospital services it has provided the city for many years. From this point forward it will only provide emergency care to youth and rescue assistance according to Vicente González Gardea, director.

Lack of funding forced this institution to dramatically decrease its hospital services last August. The annual fund raiser had not brought in the hoped for funds, and surgeries and maternity services were discontinued. However, the cause for the most recent cancellations has not been revealed to the dissatisfaction of many employees.

"As of today we are not receiving any information, and we have not been given an explanation although we were told it would be announced," said an employee not identified by El Diario.

Because state hospitals are saturated, there is concern about patients who show up for care at the Red Cross facilities. According to Irma Farías Sifuentes, site manager. "We are worried because we won't know what to do or how to direct any patient that shows up needing assistance."

Source: El Diario

Friday, December 3, 1999: Mexico Cancels Unfair Border Crossing Fees

Mexican President Ernesto Zedillo announced yesterday that the recently initiated border fees will be canceled until further notice. A strong regional and political effort against these increases had included Mexican product boycotts and international bridge blockades.

Mexican nationals living in the U.S. have staged protests against these fees on both sides of the border. These protest were in direct response to the controversial vehicle registration fee which called for U.S. registered vehicles to pay several hundred dollars to travel into Mexico depending on the year of the vehicle. Although refundable, many Mexican nationals were against these fees and threatened to boycott Mexican products sold in the U.S. and blockade all international bridges as a part of their demonstrations.

Chihuahua Senator, Luis H. Alvárez, stated that the fee would punish Mexicans by making them show documentation for entering their home country. Additionally, the vehicle charge was initiated as a means of protecting the owner and allowing authorities to distinguish stolen vehicles from legitimate registered vehicles. Alvárez believes that the Department of Treasury should be held accountable for their irresponsibility in not monitoring the thousands of cars that have already entered México. Alvárez stated that the focus should be on the Department of Treasury instead of tourists and nationals.

Chihuahua PRI Senator, Martha Lara, said that she agreed that the safe return of vehicles to the U.S. from México should be guaranteed, however, the fee recently initiated was too high.

Source: El Diario, Notimex

Thursday, December 2, 1999: Local Authorities Respond To Excavation Of Grave Sites

As news media flock to the U.S. México border region covering the excavation of an estimated 100 victims of drug cartel executions in Cd. Juárez, local experts express their varying concerns.

Politics

Cd. Juárez Mayor Gustavo Elizondo Aguilar commented that this situation does not "reflect the real Juárez." However, the recent events and the media coverage have damaged the city's image of being a successful business center. The real face of the city is not the one being shown by the media, according to Aguilar. Both the local and state government have had little to no involvement in the ensuing investigations, which were initiated and are monitored by the FBI and México's federal police authorities.

Tourism

El Paso tourism officials are also worried that the positive image they have kindled for years is being marred by recent events. Jose Luis Gutiérrez, owner of restaurants on both sides of the border said the excavations give "us an image as a 'region of terror.'" He has already seen a 30 percent drop in business and fears that tourists can't see how the graves have "nothing to do with the tourism industry."

Although regional economist Tom Fullerton says the negative effect of this tragedy can be as devastating to tourism as a natural disaster, Terry Bullock, tourism manager for El Paso's Convention and Visitors Bureau, says "It's not the first time. We've been through this before," and he claims a week later everything will have passed.

Immigration

The grave excavations have also caused a slowdown in traffic on the international bridges as customs offices have been inundated. There are more manual searches of vehicles being conducted since the computer data is unavailable with recent computer problems.

Human Rights

Esther Chávez Cano, leading human rights activist for Cd. Juárez, wonders why these bodies buried in the desert have provoked such enormous involvement from the FBI and Mexican federal authorities when nearly two hundred murdered women have been found in the desert, many raped, over the last six years. Those assassinations brought but a handful of FBI agents across the border. Additionally, the attorney general had been more careful to respect the sovereignty of the state when NGOs demanded investigations of women's murders.

Chávez Cano wonders when will the daily multitude of violent and sexual crimes that harm or kill women and children in the city be treated like crimes. When will the daily impunity the city suffers stir all the attention that the alleged drug trafficking crimes have stirred these last few days.

Source: El Diario, El Norte, El Paso Times

Wednesday, December 1, 1999: World AIDS Day: Juárez Reports 466 Victims

On the official day to fight AIDS across the globe, the Municipal Medical Services in Cd. Juárez noted that there have been 466 cases of AIDS reported in the city over the last 13 years, approximately 35 a year. According to the Journal of the International Association of Physicians in AIDS Care, there are an estimated 4,000 cases reported each year in all of México.

A total of 68.2 percent of the reported cases in Cd. Juárez are from the 25-44 age group, which is similar to the national trend. The next age group most effected is 45-64. In all, 50 of of the border city's victims are females, it is also typical that there are fewer female victims than male.

Across México, 55 percent of all AIDS cases are reported from the country's capital city, the State of México, and the State of Jalisco which is northwest of the capital area.

Cd. Juárez is marking the World AIDS Day with the kick off of a campaign "Listen, Learn and Live!" which will take place in the city's Plaza De Armas today and will then continue through January with an information booth in the same area.

México ranks 69th globally, and 29th in Latin America and the Caribbean for the accumulated number of HIV cases.

Source: El Diario, Journal of the International Association of Physicians in AIDS Care

Tuesday, November 23, 1999: Crisis Center Director Decries Promotion Of Childhood Prostitution

Esther Chávez Cano, director of Casa Amiga Crisis Center in Cd. Juárez, has recently spoke out against the Chihuahua Attorney General's office intent to investigate the source of a recently promoted childhood prostitution network.

The Attorney General 's office has said that it will monitor ports of entry into Cd. Juárez in response to a tourist package published recently that promotes the availability of sexual services from minors. However, Chávez believes this is not the necessary approach to the problem.

Chávez wants to emphasize the need for laws that punish the people that engage in sexual solicitation and activities with minors. An investigation of the network distributing this type of information, according to Chávez, is less important than the investigation of how to prevent childhood prostitution and punishing the criminals who have committed these sex crimes.

"Sometimes the authorities conduct investigations which tell us what the solicitors did and how they did it, however they never solve the problem."

Sexual agencies that promote childhood prostitution do exist in the border city, according to Elba Gómez Cabral, director of Cd. Juárez Family Development Agency (DIF) who also stated that such enterprises are known to exist in other Mexican cities such as Acapulco, Puerto Vallarta, and Tijuana.

Source: El Norte de la Ciudad Juárez

Monday, November 22, 1999: Mexican Migration Authorities Provide New Travel Guidelines

Mexican migration authorities have announced a new campaign to inform Mexican citizens living abroad how to travel into Mexico without paying fees and what they must declare at Customs. This initiative guarantees that "paisanos" won't be mislead by custom officers this Christmas season.

In the Mexican government's official guide, "Paisano's Program," recently made available at the international bridges in Cd. Juárez, it is specified, among other things, exactly what travelers' obligations are when get into the country, whether flying or driving.

According to the Paisano guide, to start, any foreigner that will stay in México for more than three days or will travel more than 30 kilometers into the country, must obtain a tourist permit with a value of $15 U.S., informed Ricardo Vasquez Santiesteban, delegate of the National Institute of Migration.

Mexicans living abroad, however, don't have to pay this fee, but they should provide official immigration documentation when entering their home country.

According to the Official Guide, all people must declare any merchandise other than their luggage.

Source: El Diario

Sunday, November 21, 1999: Police Chief Implements Increased Patrols

Cd. Juárez Police Chief Javier Benavidez announced that a new operation was implemented yesterday that will dramatically increase the routine patrol in four of the five most dangerous areas of the Cd. Juárez.

According to Benavidez, this effort is intended to reduce robberies and other crimes. "The operation will begin on November 20 and continue through the holiday season until the early days of the new year." Up to 100 more patrol hours will be utilized.

The four targeted areas are colonias with high crime rates and primarily working class populations where residents may be out of their homes for several hours at a time. As well as banks, casas de cambio and other businesses, schools will be included in the increased patrol routes. Because building will be empty over the holidays, vandalism is a concern.

Additionally, maquilas will be receiving increased police presence, however, due to minimal staff and monetary resources, not all maquilas will be patrolled. "We will give greatest attention to the businesses that maintain the greatest number of employees, who may be carrying the largest paychecks."

Source: El Diario

Saturday, November 20, 1999: Zero Tolerance Modified For Holiday Season

The Zero Tolerance plan that induced a reduction in the legal hours for liquor sales and consumption in Cd. Juárez earlier this year, is now being revised. For the 1999 holiday season, the Chihuahua State Government has increased the legal hours for liquor sales and consumption.

This increase of one hour for businesses that sell liquor retail, wholesale or for consumption at bars and restaurants will begin tomorrow, November 21 through January 6. The authorities are reminding business that they must return to the regular schedule as of that date.

Business may choose to keep the hours as set on October of 28 of this year, the same month that Governor Patricio Martínez, PRI, came into office and began implementing anti-crime initiatives including the Zero Tolerance Plan. However, those that wish to change, need to be in touch with the municipal government for authorization.

Jesús Solis Silva, director of the State Interior, stressed that when an establishment is closed, it must be totally unoccupied. Anyone violating the regulation can be fined according to law.

Source: El Diario

Friday, November 19, 1999: Dust Cloud Covers Cd. Juárez

Due to high winds in the border region yesterday, dense clouds of dust covered the city, hindering visibility and making it difficult to be outside. However, no serious damage was reported.

By ten in the morning, winds reached 32.4 kilometers per hour, and temperatures remained warm as they have been for days. Dust from the south of the city, particularly colonias with unpaved roads, gathered in the windy atmosphere and put a cloud over Cd. Juárez and El Paso for several hours. Visibility was impaired up to eight kilometers, according to the city's Abraham González airport.

"This is not good weather for taking a walk. The dust hurts your eyes and it is just an ugly day," said Laura Nieves, trying to get out of the wind.

Hector Apodaca, director of the city's department of Civil Protection, said no major damage was caused by the winds, although there were some downed trees, he said these winds were not out of the ordinary.

Source: El Diario

Thursday, November 18, 1999: Mexican Residents Boycott Popular Mexican Products

A group of Mexican nationals living in El Paso, working under the name "Paisanos," has started a boycott of popular Mexican products protesting the last month's announcement that México will charge tremendously increased fees for traveling into the interior of the country. The fees are expected to be implemented on December 1.

Carlos Spector, an El Paso attorney representing the group with the formal name "Paso del Norte Mexicans In Action," initiated the boycott two weeks ago targeted at six Mexican products commonly sold in the U.S. including Maseca, Gamesa, Bimbo, Corona, Ariel and Tequila Sauza. According to Spector, "This should worry the Mexican government."

The fees being protested are a $400-800 charge for U.S. vehicles (depending on the year) and $15 charge per traveler. For larger families, particularly those that typically travel into México for the holidays, these costs are exorbitant. Spector says he has membership from cities across the nation including Dallas, Chicago, and Houston and the group's goal is to eliminate these charges.

"It is an insult having to pay to enter your own country. The Mexican nationals that reside outside of the country do not have a voice or a vote in the decisions that are made there," said Spector. Many doubt that the fees will be returned, as promised. "They will either say that the manager is not available, or that they will be coming in late, all in the hopes that we won't return for our money."

The El Paso group is not alone in the fight. Domingo Garcia, state representative for Dallas, Texas, plans to meet with Mexican officials this week to discuss the new charges. Likewise, a group called United Mexicans 2000, also with cross country support, plans to travel to the capital to work towards stopping this decision.

Source: El Diario (Notimex)

Wednesday, November 17, 1999: City Administration Accused Of Misuse Of Funds

At a Cd. Juárez city council meeting yesterday councilors questioned the city's financial accounting and accused the PAN administration of hiding the total amount of the public debt as well as "mis-use of funds."

City council representative, Pablo Gómez Caballero, PRD, went so far as to say that if the PAN council members do not approve of a proposal demanding the city's accounting, they will take the matter to the state legislature asking for a reform of the Municipal Code. "It is evident that they are trying to hide inconsistencies," said the city representative.

A 1998 audit of the Cd. Juárez Public Accounts performed by the State Congress indicated that there had been excessive expenditures for honorariums, parties, travel, personal loans and telephone services that add up to over $1 million U.S.

In yesterday's council meetings 17 agenda items were heard without problem, but when the matter of the city's budget arose, so did tempers. Eight council members, all from the PAN party, supported the notion that this was not a matter to be discussed at the City Council meeting, and tabled the matter until next Thursday.

Gómez said he trusts that he will be able to work with PAN council members and convince them to support his position because he will remind them that during their election campaigns they promised to make public resources transparent.

Source: El Diario

Tuesday, November 16, 1999: New Laboratory Will Monitor Border Environment

A laboratory which will analyze the dangers of waste generated by the maquilas and medical facilities in Cd. Juárez will open tomorrow by the federal office of environmental protection. The lab will identify and classify waste as organic, corrosive, reactive, explosive or toxic.

According to María del Pilar Leal Hernández, a leader for the environmental agency, the construction and equipment for the lab cost close to $550,000 U.S., and the lab is located in Salbárcar, just southeast of the city. "This project began two years ago and is designed to analyze volatile organic waste and all other toxic and dangerous substances." This laboratory is one of five in the region that provides quality control.

According to the Environment, Natural Resources and Fish Agency (Semarnap), 31.74 tons of industrial waste are generated every day in the state of Chihuahua, the majority from Cd. Juárez and 2.5 tons of infected waste are generated by medical facilities. In the first six months of this year, 5,714 tons of dangerous waste were exported from the border region.

This region is conforming with other border states including Baja California, Southern Baja California, Coahuila, Durango, Nuevo León, Sinaloa, Sonora, and Tamaulipas.

Source: El Diario

Monday, November 15, 1999: State Government Questions Juárez Casino

The Juárez Racetrack and Sportsbook, a gambling facility opened last week, was shut down last Friday by Chihuahua state officials so they could determine the legality of the slot machines said to be "video games of skill."

Steve Sottero, manager of the facility, said the race track had plans to offer up to 1,500 slot machines and a bingo style game. Although gambling is typically illegal in México, managers of the Juárez racetrack say that their machines are not "games of chance" because the outcome is not predetermined by a computer chip. Sottero said that the race track center had obtained permits from the Mexican government to operate the new games.

The facility was to compete with the Tiguas' Speaking Rock Casino in El Paso, Texas and the Sunland Park Racetrack and Casino in Sunland Park, New Mexico. The Juárez facility is owned by Cesta Punto Deportes in partnership with U.S. based Hercules Gaming.

Minerva García, racetrack employee, said that state inspectors closed the "video games of skill" Friday night and a press conference is planned for tomorrow to discuss this matter.

Source: El Paso Times

Sunday, November 14, 1999: Hundreds Attempt Avoiding New Border Fees

Hundreds of people who reside in the U.S. and regularly travel to México tried this weekend to avoid new border fees by getting their paperwork accomplished before December 1 when the fee will go into effect. However, many were met with long lines and left empty handed.

On December 1 México will initiate a new border crossing fee charging $400 to $800 for citizens driving U.S. vehicles into the interior of the country. Hundreds of U.S. citizens, who plan to travel into México for the holidays, traveled to the border this weekend and tried to beat the future costs by getting their vehicle permits in advance. The majority of the travelers were from southern states including New Mexico, Colorado and Kansas,

However, they were met with waits of over 24 hours and after standing in line all day slept on the Customs facilities' patios ready to wait in line again the following day. The current cost for vehicle fees is under twenty dollars.

According to El Diario, many of those waiting expressed disappointment in the new system saying that this will discourage U.S. citizens from traveling into the country when all they want to do is see their families. "I am saddened and annoyed that our homeland has caused us this pain," said Martha Quintana, a resident of Denver, Colorado.

According to Gerardo Delgado Cruz, administrator for Border Customs, additional help has been hired for the holiday rush beginning on November 15. However, the increased traffic this weekend took the agency by surprise. "We want to make the transition rapid and efficient and provide quality services for everyone so they only have to wait 10 or 15 minutes."

However, this weekend, that was not the case.

Source: El Diario

Saturday, November 13, 1999: Half Ton Of Marijuana Found

Border Patrol agents from Fort Hancock, Texas, near Sierra Blanca, discovered 918 pounds of marijuana in a truck abandoned by the driver and passengers who shot at the agents as they fled.

On Thursday afternoon, Borer Patrol agents were suspicious of a pick up's route of travel and attempted pulling the vehicle over on I-10 to to question the citizenship of the passengers. When the patrol car approached, however, with their siren, the truck took off towards the Rio Grande.

The agents called for assistance and then chased the truck, but it stopped and the driver and passengers fled, one mounting a horse on the Mexican side of the river and the other two running.

Allegedly the passengers started shooting at the patrol agents who returned the fire, however no one was injured. The men got away and the agents discovered 37 packages of marijuana inside the car. The half ton of marijuana confiscated is believed to have a street value of $734,000.

The vehicle was turned over to U.S. Customs.

Source: El Diario

Friday, November 12, 1999: A New Twist In Drug Trafficking

Today, El Paso Times reported that drivers of a Red Cross ambulance with lights flashing and sirens blaring attempted smuggling marijuana through a Cd. Juárez checkpoint on Chihuahua-Juárez Highway 45. The driver alleged that he was transporting a patient with a ruptured appendix to a hospital in Cd. Juárez.

According to Francisco Nava, spokesperson for the federal police in Cd. Juárez, the federal police searched the 1998 Ford van and found the 93 pounds of marijuana under the patient's bed. Francisco Meraz and Ruben Marrufo were charged, and the drugs and vehicle were seized.

The van, a bona fide Red Cross ambulance had been assigned to Villa Ahumada, a village 75 miles south of the border. Nava explained that it was not yet known how these suspects got the vehicle in the first place, however, Villa Ahumada wanted the ambulance back.

According to Nava, after the drugs were discovered, "the patient (Marrufo) made a 'miraculous recovery.'"

Source: El Paso Times

Thursday, November 11, 1999: Record Drug Busts Made This Year

A report released on Wednesday by officials of the U.S. Customs and Immigration and Naturalization Services (INS) states that a record number of drug busts occurred in 1999 in West Texas and New Mexico. Record seizures were attributed to cooperative efforts between various agencies.

According to Joe Webber, Customs Special Agent in Charge, "The commitment to cooperate is strong. No one can do it alone. Individually, we do a good job. Collectively, we do much better." The groups involved in the cooperative effort include the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Federal Bureau of Investigation as well as INS and Customs.

According to the report, from October 1, 1998 through September 30 of this year, officials seized 261,434 pounds of marijuana, up from 211,746 pounds in the previous year; and 7,547 pounds of cocaine, up from 2,663 pounds the previous year. Additionally, 2,359 arrests were made and 1,109 indictments, both figures increased from 1998 fiscal year.

Interestingly, it was reported in The Dallas Morning News, that México has recently announced it is no longer interested in U.S. military assistance in its drug trafficking war. Instead, according to Rosario Green, Mexican Foreign Minister, México will buy its own equipment. "We will be able to rely on our own resources."

Although Mexican and U.S. officials involved in the two country's cooperative effort have said the relations have improved over the years, this recent announcement is believed to imply that relations "have chilled."

Sources: El Paso Times, Dallas Morning News

Wednesday, November 10, 1999: Baby Kidnapped From Cd. Juárez Health Center

A month-old baby girl was kidnapped from a state health center in Cd. Juárez on Monday, and yesterday state police released a rendering of the female suspect, 23, believed to be from southern México. All points of exit from the city are being carefully watched, according to police officials, particularly the international bridges.

Late Monday morning, Verónica Medillín Reverte, 21, brought both of her children, the baby girl and a two-year-old boy, to the health center. In the waiting area, a woman took a seat next to Medillín and befriended her by offering her money to go to a nearby shop and buy her son some treats. Medillín left the infant with the stranger, but returned and nothing had occurred.

However, when she left again to receive medical counsel for her son, the stranger again offered her assistance in caring for the baby. When Medillín returned, both the woman and the baby were gone.

A taxi-driver later reported that the suspect had hired him to take her to a residential address elsewhere in the city, authorities said. The mother was grievously upset, and lamented the fact that she had no photographs of the baby girl. The infant's father is a maquila worker, however, he and the mother separated months before the child was born.

Source: El Diario

Tuesday, November 9, 1999: U.S. Woman's Killer Apprehended

The assassin of a woman, originally from the U.S., who was found executed in a colonia of Cd. Juárez on October 19, was apprehended on Friday by agents of the Chihuahua's special task force on the investigation of the murders of women.

Víctor Vicente López Zavala, 25, confessed to the murder after being apprehended by state officials when he attempted getting into the city's detention facility, El Cereso, with false identification. López had been released on October 18 from El Cereso after serving five months on charges of attempted murder, auto theft, kidnapping and possession of illegal drugs.

Within a day of being released he killed Blanca Estela Vásquez, 44, with two shots to the head, alleging that she had threatened to kill him when he was released from prison, because he was a "womanizer." He smiled when he admitted that he decided to kill her first before she kept her promise.

The woman was allegedly López' assistant in a kidnapping and had helped him financially while he was incarcerated as well as acquiring the attorney that helped him get out.

Source: El Diario

Monday, November 8, 1999: Labastida Takes The First Presidential Primary

As was predicted by many, Francisco Ochoa Labastida was officially elected in México's first presidential primary election on Sunday. Labastida, representing the Institutional Revolution Party (PRI), took 272 of 300 districts across the country, and received over 60 percent of the votes in Cd. Juárez.

Yesterday's turnout was minimal, and there were no notable incidents of disruption according to reports in El Diario. "The PRI electoral day proceeded, one could say, like family."

According to a survey taken by students at the University of Texas in El Paso (UTEP), 80 percent of the voters said that the PRI selection was honorable and believed that their vote would be respected and considered. Additionally, according to the study, more women voted than men. "Most of the people who came out to vote were housewives and the average age of voters was 35," according to Irasema Coronado, a survey coordinator. Most surveyed felt very positively about the electoral process in general.

Chihuahua Governor Patricio Martínez (PRI) was also pleased with the electoral process believing this democratic method will be used in the future. Noting that this method has been used previously in Chihuahua, the governor said, "The Chihuahuenses are very familiar with this system, and I have great confidence that this will make a positive mark in the voter participation in public elections."

It was not exactly a positive day for Andrés Carbajal Casas, coordinator for the Roberto Madrazo campaign in Cd. Juárez, who said, "Once again, the powerful apparatus prevailed (the PRI), our hope for change has been destroyed."

Source: El Diario

Sunday, November 7, 1999: México Sees Its First Presidential Primary

Some 85,000 voters on the border are expected to participate in México's first presidential primary election, 2,373 of those will be from Cd. Juárez. A total of 5,849 representatives from the ruling PRI party will watch today's electoral process from across the country.

For the first time in 70 years, the Institutional Revolution Party (PRI), will elect its presidential candidate for the 2000 race through a nationwide election instead of the traditional method, which was an appointment by the current president.

Any resident with a voter's card and photo i.d. can participate in the primary election at voters' booths open from 8 a.m. until 6 p.m. They can vote for one of four PRI candidates including the president's favorite, Francisco Labastida Ochoa. Other candidates include Roberto Madrazo Pintado, Manuel Barlett Díaz or Humberto Roque Villanueva.

In order to win the candidate must take the majority of 300 districts across the country. It is expected, nationally, that 64,500 voters booths will be provided, in Cd. Juárez there will be 791.

A resident does not have to be a member of the PRI to vote in the primary election.

Source: El Diario

Saturday, November 6, 1999: A Polluted Sky Predicted For Winter 1999

Because the prediction for the winter in the U.S. México border region is for warm and dry weather conditions, a polluted sky is also in the forecast according to Luis Carlos Salmerón Guerrero, director of Cd. Juárez city environmental department.

"We have put out an advisory because it is going to be a difficult winter in terms of the thermal inversions," Salmerón said.

This phenomenon is created when the air high in the atmosphere is cold and traps the hot air closer to the ground which leaves no opportunity for pollutants to disperse, explained Salmerón.

It was noted by Sergio Chaparro Gutiérrez, meteorologist for the Universidad Autónoma de Ciudad Juárez, that since October 25 they have registered at least thirty inversions with no stopping in sight.

In October the levels of polluting particles in the air surpassed the maximum permissible (150 micrograms per cubic meter) three different times with a level of 183 on the October 3, 180 on October 6 and 161 on October 21.

A biologist, Gerardo Tarín Torres, director of the Air Quality department, said that thermal inversions cause the greatest distress for children and the elderly, particularly those with respiratory or heart problems.

Mornings are the most dangerous times, and it is recommended that a person avoid strenuous exercise in the early hours of the day, and use car pools or public transportation if possible.

Source: El Diario

Friday, November 5, 1999: Armed U.S. Border Patrol Agent Chases Mexican Back Across Border

U.S. Border Patrol Agent, Michael Weldziuf, was detained yesterday by Mexican border officials after chasing Cd. Juárez resident José Acosta Rivera into México and allegedly beating him with a baton. Mexican authorities released Weldziuf after seven hours.

Acosta Rivera, 22, claims that he had tried crossing into the U.S. on the Bridge of the Americas (the Free Bridge) to visit his mother; he was on foot and carrying illegal papers. He became frightened when border officials took him into their office so he fled, which is when Weldziuf chased him across the bridge some 50 yards into México and started beating him. Mexican officials stopped the abuse and detained both men.

However, according to U.S. officials, Acosta Rivera was driving a Chevrolet sports vehicle across the bridge and while waiting in line, a canine unit gave an alert on his car, so he fled. The car was later found to have 132 pounds of marijuana in it.

Mexican authorities released Weldziuf and determined his status as "rechazo," or rejected as if he had never entered the Mexican territory according to Isidoro Cruz, a delegate of the National Institute of Migration (INM). According to El Paso Times, the Mexican authorities maintained possession of the U.S. agents, weapon, badge, wallet, credit cards and house keys.

Douglas Mosier, spokesperson for the U.S. Border Patrol, said "We are frustrated by these types of accidental situations." Although he noted that his agency has regular communication with the Mexican officials, he hopes they will meet in the future to discuss how to solve this type of situation.

According to El Diario, drivers waiting in line on the bridge, applauded the Mexican officials when they intervened between the U.S. agent and Acosta Rivera.

Sources: El Diario, El Paso Times

Thursday, November 4, 1999: Texas And México Sign New Trade Agreement

The states of Chihuahua and Texas signed a cooperative trade agreement yesterday in Austin, Texas with hopes of formalizing efforts to increase trade between the neighbor states. This is the first time the two border states have made an agreement with a chosen representative who will promote and further business opportunities.

Luis Lara Armendariz of Chihuahua will become Texas' trade representative to the Mexican State. "He will help us understand more about how we can more actively participate in their economy," said Jeff Moseley, executive director of the Texas Department of Economic Development. "This is the beginning of a more aggressive style of communication,"

Chihuahua Commerce Secretary Leopoldo Mares noted that "Maybe it's not a problem, but it's something very strange that Chihuahua is the leading state in México having foreign investments and, although we are neighbors, Texas doesn't have investments in Chihuahua."

Director of the El Paso Juárez World Trade Centers, Elia Mares Purdy, said "We're excited that a lot of business will come through."

Bob Snead, president of the El Paso Black Chamber of Commerce believes this agreement is going to open doors, "I know that to do business with México, you need to form relationships."

Source: El Paso Times

Wednesday, November 3, 1999: México Considers Further Stipulations For U.S. Tourists

In addition to a $15 entrance fee for each person and an $800 deposit for each vehicle, México is now considering an additional stipulation to all U.S. citizens traveling into the interior of the country: a passport or visa for every tourist. December 1 is the projected start date for these new requirements.

One reason for the increased stipulations is an attempt to curb the amount of illegal vehicles that come in, currently one of the 14 million vehicles in México are illegal. However it was also reported that these new immigration measures will give México further control of migratory traffic and increase the country's income. Also, this would make Mexican regulations similar to what the U.S. now requires of Mexicans coming into the U.S.

Currently U.S. citizens need to show an official identification such as birth certificate or voter's registration to get beyond the border of México, however, Mexicans must always show their passport with a current visa or their temporary visa.

"These measures are going to hit people hard on both sides of the border," said Texas Legislator Salomon Ortiz. "We don't want to tell the Mexican government what to do," said Ortiz, "but we want to give them information because we have talked to the U.S. citizens and this is going to effect México economically."

Source: El Diario (AP)

Tuesday, November 2, 1999: Second Chemical Explosion At Norfluor

There was another ammonia and hydrofluoric acid explosion at the Norfluor plant in Cd. Juárez yesterday morning. This is the second explosion in six weeks, the previous occurring on September 18. This fire was also credited to electrical difficulties.

According to Héctor Apodaca Salas, director of the city's civil protection department, he learned about the incident from the Federal Highway Patrol. However, when Salas arrived at plant, "They told us the emergency had passed." Eighty employees were evacuated for nearly an hour with no injuries, leaving eight emergency employees in the plant.

Unlike the last incident, the plant managers did allow Salas in to inspect the area, and he observed that the problem valves had all been sealed. However, plant spokespersons said there had not been an electrical problem. Salas plans on reporting the incident to the attorney general for the Federal Environmental Protection Department (Profepa) so they can investigate the cause.

The company was fined approximately $35,000 for the last incident in which they would not allow emergency officials or environmental investigators to inspect the site.

Source: El Diario

Monday, November 1, 1999: Border Pays Tribute To The Deceased

Celebrating the Day of the Dead, or "Dia de Los Muertos," has taken on increased popularity in the border region. Where the Mexican tradition of honoring the deceased by creating altars decorated with special breads, sweets and other trinkets in the first days of November used to be quiet family or religious endeavor that took place in the home or business, it is now more broadly enjoyed, and even commercially celebrated.

In border cities there are community and religious organizations that present altars of continually growing number and size in public centers. The altars have more recently been presented with a festival atmosphere including mariachi music and costume contests. At markets you can find the candied skeletons and other typical decorations for the altar, along with blinking pumpkin or skeleton lights to decorate your altar.

According to Juan Seguro Rodriguez, 76, it wasn't until he opened up his bakery in 1963 in Cd. Juárez that the border city really began to traditionally celebrate Dia de Los Muertos and pay tribute to the deceased with the typical braided bread, candy skulls and decorative altars as he had grown up doing in Cd. México. "Before Don Juan, nobody in Cd. Juárez prepared the special bread, much less put up altars or sold sugar skulls," said Leanor Andazola, a faithful client.

However, in Sunland Park, New Mexico, an event occurred that has taken place since 1939. High ranking officials from the Catholic diocese of three border cities: Las Cruces, New Mexico, El Paso, Texas and Cd. Juárez, Chihuahua, walked along with 3,000 other Catholic border residents on a 4.5 mile pilgrimage up Mount Cristo Rey where they would be met by a 42-foot tall statue of Jesus Christ, and celebrate mass. Many walked barefoot on this trek that celebrated its 60th year.

Ricardo Ramirez, of Las Cruces, performed the mass and said, "We are saying good-bye to this century, and we request that God pardon us for the evil of the last 100 years." He spoke in Spanish and English to the faithful, many who make this hike in prayer for those who are ill, troubled or deceased.

The border agencies saw increased activity also, because of the border celebrations. Kilometer 30, outside of Cd. Juárez where foreign travelers must stop before they go into the interior, had 70 percent more business than usual. However, they were able to maintain line waits to under one hour. By Sunday things returned to normal. According to border officials, much of the traffic was U.S. citizens returning to México to visit family and the graves of the deceased.

Sources: El Paso Times, El Diario