Mexico-U.S. Relations: What’s Next?

Mexico-U.S. Relations: What’s Next?

U.S.-Mexican Efforts to Defeat Organized Crime and Drug Trafficking

A REPORT

TO THE MEMBERS

OF THE

COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN RELATIONS

UNITED STATES SENATE

ONE HUNDRED ELEVENTH CONGRESS

SECOND SESSION

MAY 18, 2010

Report to Senate Committee on Foreign Relations on U.S.-Mexican Efforts to Defeat Organized Crime and Drug Trafficking - Council on Foreign Relations

Minister: Brazil and US to sign defense agreement - Americas AP - MiamiHerald.com

Minister: Brazil and US to sign defense agreement - Americas AP - MiamiHerald.com

Capacity for Change: Reforming U.S. Assistance Efforts in Poor and Fragile Countries - Brookings Institution

Capacity for Change: Reforming U.S. Assistance Efforts in Poor and Fragile Countries - Brookings Institution

Full PDF Report: http://www.brookings.edu/~/media/Files/rc/reports/2010/04_aid_unger/04_aid_unger.pdf

Is America To Blame For Mexico's Drug War?

Is America To Blame For Mexico's Drug War?: "In Mexico, thousands of people have died in drug-related violence in the past three years as the government has ramped up its war on drug cartels. But is the United States — with its market for illegal drugs and flow of guns south of the border — to blame? A panel of experts face off on the topic in the latest Intelligence Squared U.S. debate."

A Food Fight for Hugo Chavez - BusinessWeek

Tough times are coming for Hugo Chavez...just how does he continue to "win" elections?

A Food Fight for Hugo Chavez - BusinessWeek

U.S. and Mexico Set New Drug Strategy - NYTimes.com

A shift in US/Mexico counter drug strategy... However, it would not surprise me if we are still executing the money committed under the initial Merida Initiative 2-3 years from now.

U.S. and Mexico Set New Drug Strategy - NYTimes.com

Drug Slayings in Mexico Rock U.S. Consulate - NYTimes.com

Drug Slayings in Mexico Rock U.S. Consulate - NYTimes.com 

If indeed these were targeted killings of US Consulate personnel by a Mexican drug cartel, their purpose is to send a message to Washington, and more importantly, to the US populace, that continued counter drug support to Mexico, by way of the "Mérida Initiative" (http://www.state.gov/p/inl/merida/), is not worth the trouble and cost. However, not continuing this support would be a critical mistake because it would likely limit the success of the Calderon administration's counter drug efforts, at great political cost, possibly leading to less proactive counter drug efforts by future Mexican administrations.  This minimization of counter drug operations will probably have the short term "benefit" of a reduction in violence, but in the long term it will likely increase corruption and erode Rule of Law in Mexico and Central America, a key component of stable, democratic governments.  In addition, a perceived US "withdrawal" could also serve as a precedent or template for narco-terrorist organizations' future response to US engagement that negatively impacts their drug trafficking operations in the region, resulting in less security overall for its citizens abroad.

It is important to mention that narco-terrorist organizations' use of terror tactics against US personnel isn't new. According to U.S. Embassy-Colombia officials, US personnel were likely targeted in the November 15, 2003 grenade attack by the FARC (Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia) in Bogotá, Colombia, resulting in three US Department of State Contractor casualties (http://tvnz.co.nz/view/tvnz_smartphone_story_skin/237027). Not coincidentally, 2003 was also the year that Uribe's highly successful Plan Patriota began, supported by US money, training, and intelligence  (http://www.southcom.mil/AppsSC/factfiles.php?id=35).

Like in Colombia, we must stay the course in Mexico in order to have long term success against the Mexican drug cartels. In the process, this will yield the added benefit of a more stable Mexican democracy and increased regional security.

E-Notes: Death of Arturo Beltrán Leyva: What Does it Mean for Mexico’s Drug War? - FPRI

Interesting take on Mexican Army and Navy differences...

E-Notes: Death of Arturo Beltrán Leyva: What Does it Mean for Mexico’s Drug War? - FPRI

A Noted Expert Assesses Latin America and the U.S. Today

A Noted Expert Assesses Latin America and the U.S. Today

U.S., Mexico team up in drug war | thespectrum.com | The Spectrum

U.S., Mexico team up in drug war | thespectrum.com | The Spectrum

If we want to do more than just treat the symptoms, we must tackle domestic demand. Having said that, it would certainly be more comforting if the violence were further away from home.