Amidst an already-crumbling auto industry, Mexico's ongoing drug war threatens the lives and livelihood of many blue collar workers who make a living at a Juarez auto parts factory. Some men are so in fear for their lives that they wear body armor.
With over 100 parts factories in the Juarez area, the factories all play an intricate role in the auto industry. With a minimum wage cost of only 1.42 USD an hour, big savings are the name of the game in Juarez.
The climate is a nervous one: a car backfires and heads whip around to make sure gun fire hasn't broken out. One factory was robbed by gunmen stealing money from ATMs and worker's Christmas bonuses. Security has slowed the violence, but for how long?
