El Paso’s city council unanimously passed a “Solidarity and Peace Resolution” earlier this month, in a step to assert cross-border solidarity with El Paso’s sister city, Ciudad Juarez, and to draw attention to the impact of drug prohibition on both communities. Separated only by the barely-existent Rio Grande river, El Paso, TX and Ciudad Juarez, Mexico share the fallout at the frontline of the war on drugs -- but not equally.

While El Paso describes itself as the “third safest city of its size” in the United States, Ciudad Juarez is arguably one of the least safe cities in Mexico -- a direct result of the violence associated with cross-border drug trafficking. Of Mexico’s more than 5,700 drug-related murders in 2008, more than 1,600 occurred in Juarez. Since the beginning of the year, 30 homicides have been reported.

In a mostly symbolic gesture, El Paso city council members drafted the resolution to express solidarity with those affected by violence in Juarez, and to condemn the actions of those who perpetrate violence. Councilmember Beto O’ Rourke felt the resolution lacked impact and amended it to include language asking the federal government to consider an "open, honest, national dialogue on ending the prohibition of narcotics."

While the city council passed the resolution unanimously (and drew national media attention in the process), El Paso Mayor John Cook swiftly vetoed the resolution. Pointing to the section calling for a debate on drug prohibition, Cook said the amendment was contrary to his personal beliefs and also warned that the “narcotic legalization language … would curtail my ability to get support from our federal delegation for other worthwhile suggestions contained in the resolution.”

U.S. Rep. Silvestre Reyes (D-El Paso) confirmed in a letter to the council that federal funding could be jeopardized by the resolution, and urged the council to uphold Mayor Cook’s veto.

"While this resolution is well-intentioned, I believe its passage would be counterproductive to our efforts to enact an ambitious legislative agenda at the federal level," Reyes wrote.

Five Texas legislators from the region wrote in a separate letter that state funding could also be compromised.

"There will be state agencies, state legislators and others in state government who will see this resolution as the city of El Paso supporting the legalization of drugs. Funding for local law enforcement efforts and other important programs to our community are likely being put in jeopardy, especially during a time when state resources are scarce," the letter warned.

In a 4-4 vote, El Paso’s city council upheld Mayor Cook’s veto. Those who changed their position pointed to the lack of support from officials at the state and federal levels.