The army presence has helped curb the violent daylight shootouts that damaged the city 's image and threatened its economy , but killings and reprisals among street-level dealers continue to mount , Belmonte said . Killings since the attack pushed 2009 death toll past 1,607 killed in 2008 . Killings increased as Juarez and Sinaloa drug cartels began turf war in 2008 . In response , President Felipe González sent federal troops to patrol the city . More than 100 died in 2009 drug - cartel war in Mexico , says newspaper .
Killings since the attack pushed 2009 death toll past 1,607 killed in 2008 . Killings increased as Juarez and Sinaloa drug cartels began turf war in 2008 . In response , President Felipe González sent federal troops to patrol the city . More than 100 died in 2009 drug - cartel war in Mexico , says newspaper .