US authorities reinforce the safety of their southern border after 131 prisoners escape from a Mexican prison in Piedras Negras, Coahuila, next to Texas.

The United States Custom and Border Protection Office (CBP) guaranteed to have increased the number of agents in the areas surrounding the prison as a precaution in the last few hours.

Even so, "there is no evidence that any of the fugitives crossed the border," according to the CBP spokesperson, Rick Pauza.

The agency also mentioned that it is working together with Mexican authorities that have deployed Army units and Federal, State and Municipal Police officers to the area.

From the US side of the border, the Texas police also increased its number of agents and is keeping in touch with the rest of the authorities, said spokesperson Tom Vinger.

Hours before, the secretary of Public Security of Coahuila, Jorge Luis Morán, asked for US support in locating and capturing the fugitives.

This is one of the most important escapes from a Mexican prison and the second biggest in five years after the one from the Nuevo Laredo jail, where 141 convicts fled in December of 2010.

There is a reward by Mexican authorities of 200,000 Mexican pesos (15,600 dollars or 11,445 Euros) for each of the runaways.

The prison, with a capacity of 800 inmates, housed 734 yesterday before the break.

Karen.balderas@sandiegored.com