Ciudad Juarez Protests as President Calderon Visits

Scuffles between police and protesters erupted in Ciudad Juarez, the border town in Mexico that has been the scene of hundreds of drug-related murders, as Mexican President Felipe Calderon proposed new crime initiatives to a skeptical public.

The BBC:

Mexican President Felipe Calderon faced public anger during a visit to his country’s most violent city, Ciudad Juarez, on the border with the US.

There were scuffles between riot police and dozens of protesters outside the convention centre where Mr Calderon and his cabinet met community leaders.

The president promised new initiatives to tackle crime in the city, which is a major battleground for drug cartels.

But he refused to withdraw troops, who critics say have worsened the violence.

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Flickr / teunvoten

Mexican federal troops patrol the streets of Ciudad Juarez in 2009 after more military personnel were sent there to fight drug cartels.