Thread: New U.S. envoy to Mexico make drug fighting a priority

New U.S. envoy to Mexico make drug fighting a priority

Will inaugurate new U.S. consulate in Tijuana

Por: Alexandra Mendoza 30 Septiembre 2011 @ 5:48 am
Tamaño: Aumentar Tamaño de Letra Disminuir Tamaño de Letra

In his first visit to the border region, the new U.S. ambassador to Mexico, Anthony Wayne, said Thursday he will make accelerating a binational drug-fighting program his priority.

Wayne assumed the post in August, following the resignation of Carlos Pascual after Wikileaks released a series of cables in which he criticized Mexico’s war against drug traffickers, a war that has resulted in an estimated 40,000 deaths in that country.

Wayne spoke at the Institute of the Americas at UCSD. On Friday, he will visit Tijuana, where he will formerly inaugurate new U.S. consulate offices.

Wayne expressed his confidence in the controversial Merida Initiative, launched in 2007 as a binational strategy to combat organized crime.

He said that the United States has provided Mexico equipment, technology and training worth nearly $600 million under that program and expects that amount to climb to $900 million before the end of the year.

Since its inception four years ago, U.S. support totals $2 billion, he said.

The initiative has drawn fire on both sides border, however. In the U.S. Congress, detractors complain that more resources are being given to corrupt law enforcement officials. And in Mexico, some lawmakers complain that the program unduly interferes in Mexico’s affairs.

The ambassador said that the struggle against organized crime should be seen as a “shared responsibilityâ€

WE have been fighting this war for ever. What would happen if we legalized drugs and regualted them like we do alchol. People are afraid that it will make it easier to get the drugs, but they are delusiona. Just because drugs are legal doesn't mean that everybody will go aout and get drugs. I don't take drugs because I don't want to not because I can't afford them. It will take the wind right out of the cartels sales. Of course it will take the wind out of government sails also because you know they are getting kickbacks or this crap would stop.