MexicoReporter.com

Univision: Young angels in Juarez battle the city’s demons

MexicoReporter — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 17:48:19 +0000

February 6th 2012 – In Ciudad Juarez, the violence is a constant, human suffering a given, and trying to understand why the city has so many problems depends on who you ask. The people who live there are justifiably weary of the violence and the near-blanket impunity enjoyed by those who perpetrate it.

But then, sometimes you meet people that offer a glimmer of hope — like a group of young “angels” who since 2010, get together on weekends and sometimes during the week to stand at crime scenes and street corners, asking murderers to repent. Is it having an impact?

Violence over the past year has declined. Local Juarez newspaper El Diario reports that murders in January in 2012 were half what they were in 2011. Perhaps it’s just a momentarily lull, but the angels and their persistent determination suggest that Ciudad Juarez could emerge as something more than just a city of victims.

This video was shot, produced and edited by Deborah Bonello and published by Univision. You can see it here on their website if you live within the US.

AFP: Mexico City struggles with waste disposal

MexicoReporter — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 16:05:04 +0000

Mexico City has officially closed its biggest rubbish dump, threatening to put thousands out of work. Yet the city government has yet to find an alternative for the thousands of tonnes of rubbish produced by its 9 million plus inhabitants. A voiced AFPTV report.Duration: 01:58

AFP: Hunger threatens indigenous Mexicans

MexicoReporter — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 01:02:16 +0000

Jan 24 2012 – The Rarámuri, or Tarahumara, are going hungry. In the state of Chihuahua in Northern Mexico, where the indigenous tribe lives, drought and cold weather have made food scarce. The government and non-profits are handing out food, but handouts are only a short-term solution to the survival of the Tarahumara. Shot, produced and edited by Deborah Bonello for AFP.

AFP: Activists under fire in Mexico

MexicoReporter — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 00:06:03 +0000

Jan 22 2012 – Over the last few months at least three activists have been murdered in Mexico, and a fourth survived a serious attack. In the context of Mexico’s ongoing drug-related violence, some are being targeted for daring to campaign against criminals, others for challenging the actions of corrupt officials and state forces.

AFP: Angels take to Mexican streets to fight drug crime

MexicoReporter — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 19:59:56 +0000

December 20 2011 – Angels are appearing on street corners and at crime scenes in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico’s most violent city and the epicenter of the country’s drug-related violence. Not just for Christmas, the angels are youngsters dressing up to send their message that only God can save Juarez now. Shot, produced and edited for AFP by Deborah Bonello. See the report here on AFP’s YouTube channel.

AFP: Mexico suffers the worst drought in 70 years

MexicoReporter — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 16:25:24 +0000

Dec 14 2011 – Mexico is suffering the worst drought the country has seen in 70 years. In the northern state of Chihuahua, 80 percent of seasonal crops that rely on rain have been lost. For AFP by Deborah Bonello.

AFP: Millions flock to give thanks to the Virgin de Guadalupe

MexicoReporter — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 19:07:13 +0000

As many as seven million Mexicans will make the pilgrimage to Mexico City’s Basilica de Guadalupe this year to pay their respects to the Virgin de Guadalupe, one of Mexico’s most revered holy figures. Pilgrims come from all over Mexico to arrive here around the dates of December 11th and 12th to give their thanks. Filmed for AFP by Deborah Bonello.

AFP: Ambulance attacked in Ciudad Juarez

MexicoReporter — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 23:31:55 +0000

Three people were killed after armed gunmen stopped and opened fire on an ambulance in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico. See the report here on AFP Spanish.

AFP: ‘Miss Bala’ reflects drug reality for women in Mexico

MexicoReporter — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 16:03:00 +0000

November 30 2011 – Miss Bala, a Mexican movie that is a current Oscar hopeful and inspired by true events, follows beauty queen Laura Guerrero in her violent downward spiral into the hands of organized crime. Filmed, produced and edited for AFP by Deborah Bonello.

Time: Evidence of Killings and Disappearances by Mexico’s Security Forces

MexicoReporter — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 15:12:56 +0000

November 11 2011 – The grieving families of six men who disappeared from a Mexican night club speak to TIME. Their story is among 170 cases of killing, torture and disappearances documented in a new Human Rights Watch report.

This report was produced for Time Magazine by Deborah Bonello.

Watch the video on Time’s website here.

Camera Assistant was Myles Estey - you can see his website here.

You can read the report by Human Rights Watch on their website here.

Photo: Laura Garcia and her family outside the club from where her brother Francis disappeared on March 1st 2010. The family believe Francis was taken by the Mexican military. Credit: Myles Estey.