EL PASO, Texas -- The newly-appointed U.S. Ambassador to Mexico made his first visit to UTEP Friday to discuss the rising tide of violence across the border.

Nearly 1,900 people have been killed in Juarez this year, already surpassing the death toll from last year.

Carlos Pascual spoke about the connection between that violence and the illegal drug trade.

"They've also unfortunately been fighting one another to get into other lines of business," said Pascual. "Extortion, robbery and kidnapping, and that's part of what's created a fear in many communities."

His comments ring true in Palomas, Mexico where mayor Estanislao "Tani" Garcia was abducted, shot and killed Thursday. Palomas is a small tourist town across the border from Columbus, N.M.

"Certainly the prospect of somebody in that category would be treated so brutally must be terrifying to those people down there," said Luna County Sheriff Raymond Cobos.

Pascual said the violence is partly in response to a crackdown on the cartesl and despite the current cost, the U.S. should continue its efforts.

"The answer here is not to let up, not to negotiate, not to give space, not to acknowledge that one group can win," said Pascual. "But to recognize that we are having an impact, and how do we strategically take this to the next step?"