PALOMAS IN DIRE STRAITS

From more than 100 miles away, and across a national border, it is
difficult for us to say exactly what is going on these days in
Palomas, Mexico.

But we can say with a great deal of certainty that it's a
mess.

Escalating violence in recent weeks has led to the town's police
chief and other law enforcement officers fleeing for their safety.
Police Chief Emilio Perez showed up at the port of entry leading to
Columbus earlier this week seeking asylum. He told U.S. Immigration
officials that the town's two police officers had also fled, and he
didn't know where they were.

Those actions would seem to have turned the community over, at least
for the time being, to the drug cartels who have been waging a deadly
battle for control of the narcotics trade in the region.

Gov. Bill Richardson's office tells us Mexican state and federal
police have been moving into the area in recent weeks, but they
clearly have not been able to stem the violence. This is further
proof that National Guard troops are still needed on the border until
the full complement of additional Border Patrol officers has been
trained and stationed, Richardson's spokesman said.

For years, Palomas has been a popular destination for southern New
Mexicans looking for a deal on prescription drugs and medical
services, or simply a shopping outing at the Pink Store. But the
violence in recent weeks has made Palomas too dangerous to justify the
possible savings.

Columbus Mayor Eddie Espinoza was having dental work done Sunday in
Palomas when armed gunmen robbed the dentist's office while he was in
the middle of a root canal. Espinoza said the procedure wasn't
completed, but he's not sure that he wants to go back.

Our advice to anyone thinking of going to Palomas is to exercise
extreme caution. Don't take large amounts of cash, be aware of your
surroundings, and travel in groups. For the time being, probably the
best advice is to just not go.