Officials defend decision to extend border alert (Texas/Mexico)

The Brownsville Herald ^ | 5/1/05 | Sergio Chapa

[SwinneySwitch]

Warning set to expire Tuesday renewed because of security concerns

MATAMOROS — American officials on Friday defended their border-wide security alert amid criticism from politicians and business leaders who say it has hurt tourism and other cross-border commerce.

The alert, originally issued in January, was set to expire Tuesday but was renewed based on continued security concerns.

"We’ve been told that it’s not fair and it’s not right," said U.S. Consul John Naland of the renewed alert at a Friday morning press conference. "But just yesterday (Thursday) in Reynosa there was a confrontation between federal troops and drug dealers."

Although Naland admitted that more than 90 percent of the recent violence has occurred in Nuevo Laredo, he said the Reynosa attack and another armed assault against a prison director in Ciudad Victoria on Wednesday underscore the need to keep the alert.

In recent years, the Mexican federal government has arrested the top leaders of several drug cartels.

Naland said the arrests have created a power vacuum in which lower-level crime lords are now fighting for control of lucrative drug trade routes in northern Mexico.

Sandra Duran, head of the tourism advisory board in Matamoros, said the alert hurts the Rio Grande Valley more than Mexico.

"In our globalized world, we see each other as a region," said Duran, whose downtown restaurant Café Aromas hosted the conference. "Nobody wants to invest in a place that is considered dangerous."

Naland said drug violence, the rising number of undocumented immigrants from nations other than Mexico and other border security issues remain a top priority for the American government.

Naland said the American government had recently received approval to send more DEA agents to various Mexican cities, but Naland could not disclose any numbers or where they had been assigned.

The consul said more than 1,100 undocumented immigrants from Brazil, Central America and other nations have been caught in the Rio Grande Valley since October.

"The Border Patrol is now detaining more foreigners than Mexicans," he said.

According to U.S. State Department records, 30 Americans have been kidnapped in Nuevo Laredo in the past eight months.

But Naland said most people who cross the border to shop or travel do not face any danger if they stay in tourist or business districts.

"American citizens do not have any risk, but they have to be careful when they cross the border," he said.

[SwinneySwitch]

"The Border Patrol is now detaining more foreigners than Mexicans,"

[SheLion]

"The Border Patrol is now detaining more foreigners than Mexicans," he said.

Time magazine quote:
“The number of illegal aliens flooding into the US this year will total 3 million - enough to fill 22,000 Boeing 727-700 airliners, or 60 flights every day for a year.”

[mistress_of_tantra]

"According to U.S. State Department records, 30 Americans have been kidnapped in Nuevo Laredo in the past eight months." "American citizens do not have any risk, but they have to be careful when they cross the border," he said"

For some reason I don't think I will be doing any travel to Mexico any time soon.

[mistress_of_tantra]

it was 30 so far but yeah...no risk what so ever...yeah sure. somehow that still doesn't make me feel better.