The heavy rains that hit parts of Northern Mexico and Southern Texas last week have been said to displace thousands. The major city of Monterrey was said to be hit among the hardest, according to the AFP.

More than 100,000 people remained without drinking water around the state following last week’s storms, which caused flooding and chaos in the capital Monterrey, said Javier Trevino, a state government official.

After Hurricane Alex soaked the region last week with floods that killed at least 15 people in Nuevo Leon, a new storm dumped still more rain on waterlogged terrain.

Some 40,000 homes have already been damaged in Coahuila, said state communications coordinator David Aguillon.

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A new government study not only refutes the claims that border tensions have increased rates of violence in U.S. towns near the line, but also claims that the areas along the border are some of the safest in the nation per capita.

The FBI has released a report of the top four cities with the lowest rates of violent crime: San Diego, El Paso, Austin, and Phoenix

Furthermore, according to the study, the already low numbers are continuing to fall even further on account of new joint security measures.

“The border is safer now than it’s ever been,” said Customs and Border Protection spokesman Lloyd Easterling.

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In the latest showing of bilateral trust between the two nations, U.S. Border patrol has given Mexican forces millions in security equipment, in order to ensure the continued progress of safety along the border.

Among the equipment transferred were dozens of motorcycles, all terrain vehicles, and GPS units.

According to KGUN in Tucson, “The Border Patrol said the equipment will be specifically deployed for border security operations in areas that have been previously inaccessible and assist in providing an increased presence of law enforcement personnel on both sides of the border.”

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A new study by the Brookings Institute has uncovered that Mexico is far safer than many neighboring nations, including many parts of the United States.

Andres Oppenheimer, famed journalist, highlighted the disparities between reality and perception in a recent Miami Herald piece.

U.S. Secretary of State met with Foreign Minister Patricia Espinosa this week to discuss the bilateral relationship between the United States and Mexico, which the two stressed is stronger than ever. Secretary Clinton chose to highlight the role that the U.S. must play in securing the border, insisting that the responsibility goes both ways.

“We are working … together to solve the problem posed by the criminal cartels that stalk the streets of your cities and ours,” said Clinton.

To watch the video of the joint remarks, click here.

To read the full transcript, click here.

In a show of solidarity and compassion, the Washington Post recently published an editorial titled Is the U.S. doing enough to help dying Juarez?.  The article highlights the shared responsibility to stop the violence along the border, and calls to mind the struggles and triumphs of the Mexican and U.S. forces fighting to keep the border safe and open for all to enjoy.

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Secretary of Clinton continued to praise Mexico’s progressive nature, this time, in the realm of online innovation. The US Secretary of State, highlighted Mexico as a leader in social media responsibility, a priority for the Secretary under the Obama administration.

“And in Mexico, a single email from a private citizen who was fed up with drug-related violence snowballed into huge demonstrations in all of the country’s 32 states. In Mexico City alone, 150,000 people took to the streets in protest. So the internet can help humanity push back against those who promote violence and crime and extremism.”

To read the release, click here.

BREAKING NEWS:

An earthquake that has measured at a 4.0 has struck just near the border of the United States and Mexico. The epicenter is estimated somewhere roughly nine miles west of Calexico, California.

As of yet, there is no information on any damages and/or casualties. For more information, please visit: http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2009/11/40-earthquake-strikes-usmexico-border.html

“The U.S. and Mexico are making headway in the ongoing struggle to curb the flow of illegal drugs, cash and weapons across the border, U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano said Wednesday.”

To read the full text of the above Associated Press article, please click here.