U.S. Stands with Mexico in Fight Against Organized Crime

We are shocked by the escalating violence against Mexican law enforcement officials. The recent murders of three high-level police officials by criminal syndicates and drug trafficking cartels are a brutal reaction to President Calderon’s determination to fight organized crime. They illustrate the serious threat these organizations pose to democratic institutions in Mexico. We offer our condolences and heartfelt sorrow to the families and colleagues of these courageous Mexicans.

Mexico’s resolve in this fight against organized crime has our full and immediate support. Violence and drug trafficking are shared problems, and we have a shared responsibility to confront them. Mexico’s success in this struggle will be our success. We urge the U.S. Congress to fully fund the President’s Merida Initiative, a program designed to help Mexico and Central American countries fight organized crime and drug- trafficking.