MEXICAN TROOPS, POLICE DEPLOY TO VALLEY OF JUAREZ

Mexican authorities have dispatched large numbers of Mexican federal
police and soldiers to the Valley of Juarez after weeks of terror.

The surge in federal forces comes after dozens of killings, the
burning of homes and the attempted torching of a church. Many
residents had moved away after receiving threats to leave or die as
drug cartels battle for turf.

The visible federal presence appeared to have brought a sense of calm
in stark contrast to two weeks ago, when the remaining residents were
afraid to step outside at night.

On Wednesday, caravans of federal police vehicles rolled in the
streets of small towns. Soldiers with machine guns stood behind
sandbags at checkpoints on the roads in the farming area that is a
battleground in the war between cartels. Helicopters flew over dirt
roads looking for suspicious activity.

Enrique Torres, spokesman for Coordinated Operation Chihuahua, said
there was a rise during the weekend in the number of military and
federal police patrolling in the valley, which stretches 50 miles
southeast of Juarez.

The exact number of soldiers and federal police sent to the valley
was not disclosed because the numbers are constantly modified, Torres said.

Torres said the increased patrols were in response to threats made to
residents of the valley. "They will continue as long as necessary," he said.

The Valley of Juarez -- with towns and villages such as El Porvenir,
Guadalupe and Praxedis G. Guerrero -- is across the border from Texas
towns San Elizario, Fabens, Tornillo and Fort Hancock.

Chihuahua Gov. Jose Reyes Baeza recently asked law enforcement
agencies to beef up their efforts after residents pleaded for help.
Baeza said he would also increase the state police presence there.

More than 50 people were killed in the valley in March. The Sinaloa
drug cartel is fighting with the Juarez drug cartel for control of
the valley, a prime smuggling corridor.

Despite the additional patrols, violence continues.

Gunmen killed a man between 25 and 30 years old almost at midnight
Tuesday in the streets of San Isidro, adjacent to San Elizario.

Last Friday, a group of armed men tried to burn down the Nuestra
Senora del Sagrado Corazon de Jesus, a Catholic church in El
Porvenir, across the border from Fort Hancock.

The church's door is blackened. Some of the interior was damaged. But
services continued, and some parishioners posted signs saying the
arson would not deter their faith.

The attacks in the valley also spread fear to the U.S. side of the border.

Responding to residents' concerns, Hudspeth County Sheriff Arvin West
increased the number of deputies guarding the Fort Hancock area. He
said there haven't been problems.

Border Patrol spokesman Doug Mosier said residents are worried about
increased attacks in Mexican towns.

Mosier said that some reports are getting distorted and that none of
the rumors of school buses being followed and of kidnappings have
been confirmed. "We are not saying these reports are false, but we
have to confirm them before they react," he said recently.

In light of concerns, the Border Patrol has increased its manpower
and technology in West Texas. "We've got a very keen eye on the
border area," Mosier said.

Meanwhile in Juarez, the Mexican army is switching local patrol
duties with federal police. Soldiers had been teamed on patrols with
city and transit police. The military will remain in the city.

Juarez Mayor Jose Reyes Ferriz announced Wednesday that 5,000 federal
police officers will be deployed to work with city police, bringing
to about 7,000 the total number of federal officers in the city.

Coordinated Operation Chihuahua officials said about 1,900 federal
police began arriving Monday on flights into Juarez, part of the added forces.