The Washington Times
NUEVO LAREDO, Mexico -- A violent war between two powerful drug cartels over control of a lucrative trade route for Mexican cocaine and marijuana bound for the United States has turned many Americans away from Nuevo Laredo and nearly gutted the city's tourist economy.
Once a bustling shopping center for visitors to southern Texas, this Mexican border city of 300,000 on the edge of the Rio Grande has seen a wave of killings that has taken 135 lives this year -- including the police chief, a city council member and 13 police officers.
As a result, vendors and merchants on the city's violence-prone streets are stuck with street carts and stores filled with unsold food, watches, belts, wallets and jewelry.
"The people are afraid to come, and it has hurt us very badly," said Eduardo, a local store owner who asked that his last name not be used. "The Americans used to come here in great numbers and spend a lot of money. That no longer is happening."
Posted by Richard at October 18, 2005