Rising drug violence in Mexico's border region has prompted southern Arizona's largest military installation to issue new restrictions on troop travel and a warning to military families and civilian staffers to stay away.
Now nearly 7,000 troops at Fort Huachuca in Sierra Vista must get prior approval from the Army post's top brass to cross the border. Violators would be subject to military discipline. In addition, about 11,000 family members, civilians and contractors at the fort are "strongly urged" not to visit Mexican cities such as Naco, Agua Prieta and Nogales - a popular shopping and nightlife destination.
Drug-cartel-fueled violence has reached unprecedented levels this year in the state of Sonora and specifically in Nogales, where government figures show homicides have tripled in recent years. Nearly 100 killings have occurred this year, up from 52 in 2007 and 35 in 2006. The violence is attributed to an ongoing battle between drug cartels for the corridor - the most desired piece of real estate along the U.S.-Mexico border. |