Mexico's Drug Wars Pushing People Out of Region

Northern Mexico's smallest towns are experiencing an exodus of people feeling threatened by drug cartel violence. The diaspora along the U.S. border is leaving villages in Sonora, Chihuahua and Tamaulipas all but empty, the aftermath being lawless ghost towns. In the hills of northern Sonora, residents say the government can no longer protect them. In the mission town of Tubutama, which is more than 300 years old, Father Anastasio Franco Gómez says two-thirds of the town's population has fled. Violence began there more than a year ago, and ever since, people have quietly fled. Locals warn not to go too far into the hills. Even the Sinaloa Cartel stays out as does the Mexican army. They circle the region instead.

Listen to the entire four minute report by Arizona Public Media here.