Monday, May 19, 2008 – The threat appears in recruiting banners hung across roadsides and in publicly posted death lists. Cops get warnings over their two-way radios and at least four high-ranking police officials have been gunned down, so far this month, including Mexico’s acting Federal Police Chief. Earlier this year, 22 commanders were named on a handwritten death list left at a monument to fallen police. Of the 22, seven have been killed and three wounded in assassination attempts. Of the others, all but one have resigned.

As the deadly violence in Juarez continues to escalate, the Police Chief is being replaced. A leader of the Mexican Army will replace Police Chief Guillermo Prieto. To date, the death toll across the border is quickly approaching 300.