Juarez Killing Now Include Drug Trade

Ciudad Juarez -- A rash of drug-related killings and deaths has swept Mexico in the past week, and federal and state authorities have no solid explanation for the violence.

Eleven bodies have been unearthed at a suspected drug trafficker's house in Ciudad Juárez, and three men were killed in Nuevo Laredo, both cities on the Texas border. Two federal drug agents and an army captain were killed in Mexico City. A former deputy state attorney general was shot to death in Tijuana along with three other people. Five more deaths took place in the drug-growing state of Sinaloa.

These killings come on top of wave of killing of women in Ciudad Juarez -- which is the subject of an international protest this Valentine's Day, which includes celebrities Jane Fonda and playwright Eve Ensler, author of the ``Vagina Monologues.''

Mexican and international human rights groups insist the death toll is higher, with more than 300 women and girls slain since 1993. Families of the slain women hope international attention brought by the march will pressure the Mexican government into solving the murders. Relatives of some of the suspects also want more scrutiny, believing the men in custody have been falsely accused of involvement in the deaths.

Many victims' relatives blame police corruption and incompetence for failing to solve the slayings. They say authorities tamper with evidence, torture suspects and do sloppy forensic work.

``This (international attention) is the only thing that has made the government do its work,'' said Carmen Argueta, whose son, David Meza, was charged with the killing of his 19-year-old cousin.

``Since Amnesty International was here, there has been more awareness and more pressure on the government,'' Argueta added.

The escalation of violence related to the drug trade has given rise to speculation. Theories voiced regarding the spate of killings include turf wars and score-settlings among drug gangs and corrupt government officials working with them.