Clinton Says US Drug Demand Fuels Violence in Mexico

Last Update: 2:08 am

The drug war is the priority in Mexico City and in Washington. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and officials from the Pentagon are detailing their plans to stop the escalating violence along the U.S.-Mexico border.
The war in Mexico is compared to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. At the Pentagon, Defense Department Press Secretary Jeff Morell they talked about what the U.S. is doing to support the Mexican military. He said, "I think we've provided, over the last couple years, or few years, significant, significant help. I think it's $1.3 billion to date, has been provided from the United States to Mexico through the Merida Initiative."
The Pentagon says that Merida Initiative and concern over the drug war has created greater cooperation, not just between the military forces but also between the two governments. Morell said, "It's most immediately a threat to them, but obviously the drugs that eventually reach this country are a menace to our society as well."
In Mexico, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and other top U.S. officials, including Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano, met with top Mexican officials. Clinton said Washington must to more to limit the movement of weapons into Mexico from the United States. Clinton said, "We know that the demand for drugs drives much of this illicit trade, that guns purchased in the United States are used to facilitate violence here in Mexico."
Experts say the cartel may retaliate because of that high-level meeting in Mexico, creating more violence just across our border. Fred Burton with the private security firm Stratfor says, "It would not surprise me in the least to see some additional attacks by the narcos once the U.S. delegation gets out of town. We will probably see that in the Juarez or the Reynosa area.
Clinton said the administration would soon create a new drug policy that will include strategies for reducing demand. Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano also said Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials are working with teams from Mexico to improve inspections of southbound cars that could be carrying cash or weapons.
One of those teams busted a Mexican national at the Anzalduas International Bridge on Monday for attempting to smuggle semi-automatic weapons and ammo into Mexico. Ernesto Gonzalez-Reyes, a 48-year-old resident alien now living in Reynosa, was arrested after customs officers discovered the weapons and ammunition hidden in his Chevy Suburban. Gonzalez-Reyes remains in federal custody without bond. If convicted, he faces ten years in jail without parole and a one million dollar fine.
Mexico is also sending more law enforcement to the border. Officials say 450 federal police officers are now in Ciudad Juarez, across the river from El Paso. The military maintains its presence in the city. Mexican officials say the extra federal officers will investigate shootings.
Customs and Border Patrol are also releasing new pictures of a smuggling attempt that ended in the river near Mission. Border Patrol Agents tried to pull over the driver of an SUV. He did not stop until he ended up near the Pepe's on the River restaurant where he drove the truck into the river. The driver then swam back to Mexico. Several hundred pounds of marijuana were found in the Suburban.

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