At least 40 die in Mexico drug-related violence in 72 hours

Drug-related violence in Cuidad Juarez over last weekend was the worst seen in years, according to local police – and has raised fears that a dangerous drug cartel is gaining power.

AT LEAST 40 people have been killed in drug-related violence in the Mexican city of Ciudad Juarez over the past 72 hours.

The murder rate in Ciudad Juarez was 3,000 last year according to official government statistics, and more than 34,600 people have been killed in drug-related attacks since December 2006, reports RTÉ.

A spokesman for the Chihuahua state prosecutor’s office said that it had been one of the “most violent” weekends in the city for years. It is believed that the killings were drug-related because of the type of weapons used.

RFI reports that officials fear the Zeta drug cartel has become stronger and may have been responsible for the attack.

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