Traveling with a marked man

Program Note: Don't miss Part 2 of Gary Tuchman's report on drug violence in the murder capital of the world tonight at AC360° at 10PM ET.

[cnn-photo-caption image=http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2010/images/03/24/reyes.jpg caption="Jose Reyes Ferriz is serene despite death threats."]Gary Tuchman | BIO
AC360° Correspondent

What's it like to travel with someone who has been publicly threatened with assassination? A bit unnerving to say the least. But that is what our story is about tonight on AC360°. The mayor of Juarez, Mexico has been told by narco-traffickers that if he doesn't resign, he has two weeks to live; and that two week period comes to an end today.

Jose Reyes Ferriz has been mayor since 2007; his term is over this October. And he says he will finish his term; he will not step down. But as he travels across the city, whether by car or foot; he travels with elaborate security. Aides with impressive weapons; vehicles with substantial armor are all part of the mayor's daily life. He has a worried family, but he says they trust him to make the right decision. More than 2,600 people were killed in Juarez last year. Compare that to Dallas, Texas, which is roughly the same size. Dallas had 166 murders.

As we drove with the mayor across the city, I couldn't help but continuously look out the windows; intently watching for any sign of trouble. But Mayor Jose Reyes Ferriz looked serene. He has a quest to make his city safer, and he won't let the bad guys stop him from trying.