Explain why is the city of Ciudad Juárez (in Mexico) infamous for its repeated violence?

Socio-economic factors promoting violence in Ciudad Juárez

In Ciudad Juárez, economic inequalities are enormous: high unemployment, widespread precariousness, an underqualified population—these all create ideal conditions for violence to thrive. Many young people, without jobs and opportunities, are vulnerable and easily recruited by gangs and cartels, who promise them money and power. Additionally, the immediate proximity to the American border attracts many migrants willing to do anything to cross, which provides fertile ground for human trafficking, smuggling, and all kinds of organized crime. Poor neighborhoods, often neglected by public authorities, see violence and insecurity escalate much faster than elsewhere, due to a lack of investments in infrastructure and education. This chronic lack of social and economic development creates a very difficult vicious circle to break.

Predominant role of drug trafficking and cartels

Ciudad Juárez has become a strategic location over the years for international drug trafficking, which largely explains its severe violence problems. Situated right on the border between Mexico and the United States, the city is particularly coveted by major cartels seeking to control these valuable routes to bring their goods into the neighboring country to the north. Bloody struggles between rival cartels, notably between organizations like the Juárez Cartel and the Sinaloa Cartel, are therefore frequent, regularly causing outbreaks of particularly deadly violence. Targeted assassinations, street executions, kidnappings, and armed confrontations: these recurring practices create a constant atmosphere of insecurity throughout the city. The heavy presence of the cartels even influences the daily lives of the local population, which is forced to adapt under threat of retaliation.

Institutional incapacity and corruption of local authorities

Local institutions in Ciudad Juárez often suffer from deep corruption, facilitated by pressure and money from the cartels. Police officers, politicians, judges: many are easily bought or intimidated, leading to genuine impunity. As a result, investigations progress slowly, and the guilty are rarely convicted. Citizens feel abandoned by those supposed to protect them. Basically, when the authorities fail to act, violence continues to explode quietly.

Human and social repercussions of repeated violence

The repeated violence in Ciudad Juárez has caused a permanent climate of fear among its residents, with some neighborhoods becoming almost deserted after nightfall. Many families have had to flee the city, creating ghost neighborhoods and leaving behind abandoned houses and closed businesses. Young generations are growing up with violence as the norm, leading to high rates of post-traumatic stress and anxiety disorders across all age groups. Women are particularly affected, with a high percentage of unresolved femicides, deeply marking the local society and prompting numerous protests and activist efforts demanding justice. It is also difficult to establish a stable economy when investors and entrepreneurs prefer to look elsewhere to avoid risks. All of this creates a vicious cycle: fewer job opportunities, more poverty, even more violence.

Actions implemented to combat recurring violence

Faced with the persistent violence in the city, several initiatives have been attempted. First, the federal government launched large-scale operations such as the massive deployment of the army and federal police to restore order in the streets. At the same time, they are also trying to clean up their own services by combating internal corruption with varying degrees of success. In addition, to reduce sources of violence, they are gradually implementing social programs to take young people off the streets and offer them alternatives to crime. Some NGOs are also involved, supporting the families of victims or raising awareness among the population about human rights. However, all of this still yields limited results, as the situation remains complex and deeply rooted.