From 2008-2012, Juarez was a hotbed of illegal drug trade and a turf war between rival cartels and became known as one of the most dangerous cities in the world during this time. Luckily, things are improving and crime not as rampant as it was before.
This gutted building was right across from the compound where we stayed and served. Because of the recent violence (there was a time where there were 8.5- 20 homicides and 8 kidnappings per day), the fence around the compound makes more sense.
I asked Maria what had happened, why the building looked like it was bombed out. She said that people left during the dangerous times, went elsewhere for safety and just left their homes behind. This would have been a very nice home by Juarez standards.