Nov. 12 (Bloomberg) -- Mexican business groups in Ciudad Juarez may petition the United Nations to send peacekeepers to the northern border city, which has the country’s highest murder rate, El Universal said.

Members of the Maquiladora Association of Ciudad Juarez and Chamber of Commerce say the peacekeepers are needed to end the wave of extortion, kidnappings and murders, the Mexico City- based newspaper said.

More than 6,000 businesses have closed in the city this year because of the lack of security, the newspaper reported. About 6,476 people have been killed in Mexico this year because of drug violence, the newspaper said.

To contact the reporter on this story: Andres R. Martinez in Mexico City at amartinez28@bloomberg.net

Last Updated: November 12, 2009 08:46 EST