[Curnow:] Mexican drug boss El Chapo has spent the past week in a prison close to the U.S., an indication perhaps that he may be extradited to America at some point. Now you would think his being in prison who make people feel safer but now families living nearby in Juarez are worried. Nick Valencia tells us why people are petrified their city could turn violent again. Here's his report.
[Nick Valencia, Cnn Correspondent:] Life goes in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico. Once desolate streets traded for a semblance of tranquility in the city just across the river from El Paso, Texas. Not so long ago, it was infested with drug cartels. At its violent peak, there were more than 3,000 people murdered in one year. Most of those deaths were attributed to the war between the local Juarez cartel and the infamous Sinaloa Federation, popularly known for its leader, Joaquin Guzman, AKA El Chapo. While life on the streets has changed in Juarez with El Chapo's return, the bloody past seems very much present. His presence has reimagined the nightmares for many. Sergio Velez lived through the violence brought to Juarez by El Chapo between 2009 and 2012. He says he still mourns the death of one of his construction workers, killed inside his business.
[Sergio Velez, Business Owner:] There are many people very hurt by that war. There are many still mourning what happened during the narco war and there's still a very latent sense of insecurity bred by the delinquent group of El Chapo Guzman here in Ciudad Juarez.
[Valencia:] Painful memories Velez buried deep in his mind have been unlocked by the return of El Chapo. Even with the kingpin behind bars, some fear of a return of impunity for the cartel foot soldiers still in the city. However, the mayor of Juarez tells CNN the drug lord's transfer to Juarez has had no impact or relevance on the daily life of most residents.
[Javier Gonzalez Mocken , Juarez Mayor:] Juarez now finds itself peaceful, working and dedicated to produce goods and services. Juarez is dedicated to creating better life conditions for its residents.
[Valencia:] There are obvious concerns that El Chapo will escape prison for a third time. There have also been questions about the penitentiary's infrastructure. Is it capable of holding him? With the spotlight back on Juarez for the moment, residents would prefer to discard the unwanted attention and move on from its violent past Nick Valencia CNN, Atlanta.
[Curnow:] That does it for us here at the INTERNATIONAL DESK. Thanks for joining me. I'm Robyn Curnow. Don't go anywhere. "WORLD SPORT" with Amanda Davies is next. END