Ambassador’s Remarks for Merida Initiative-Funded Equipment Delivery

As prepared - September 21, 2012 - Monterrey

Sr. Gobernador Constitucional del Estado de Nuevo Leon, Licenciado Rodrigo Medina de la Cruz, and all distinguished guests.  Today it gives me great pleasure to be here at the Universidad de Ciencias de la Seguridad to recognize our cooperation represented, in part, by the donation of equipment under the Merida Initiative.  

Merida is an unprecedented partnership between the United States and Mexico to fight organized crime and reduce associated violence. In addition, the Initiative seeks to advance efforts to respect human rights and the rule of law.  Based on the principles of shared responsibility, mutual trust, and respect for sovereign independence, the efforts of our two countries have built confidence and are transforming our bilateral relationship.

December 2008 saw the beginning or a new era in bilateral cooperation between Mexico and the United States with the signing of the first Letter of Agreement on the Merida Initiative.  In less than three, the Merida Initiative has led to a new structure in bilateral security cooperation , provided tangible support to new security and judicial institutions, and helped Mexican efforts to stop the illegal flow of weapons, money and drugs while working to reduce the demand for drugs.

To date, the United States has delivered approximately 1.1 billion dollars – or 14.3 billion pesos – worth of equipment and training under the Merida Initiative.  

In 2009, Nuevo Leon was identified as one of Mexico’s priority states to receive assistance under the plan, which was originally designed as a federal government-to-federal government initiative.  The U.S. government has worked with Nuevo Leon security, justice, and social services to assist in capacity building and judicial reform.  In addition, the US Agency for International Development is partnering with local organizations to strengthen local communities through education and skills-building with the hopes of deterring vulnerable youth from joining criminal organizations. 

Under capacity building, Merida has focused its efforts on police training at this university and already contributed almost three-quarters of a million dollars to purchase equipment and to train future generations of state police officers from Nuevo Leon and other Mexican states.  In cooperation with the Merida Initiative, this university has hosted training courses and Police officers have taken training such as Officer Survival, Critical Incident Management, Executive Management and Leadership as well as Organized Crime and Homicide Investigations. 

Mexico has continued to make substantial investments in excess of $10 billion, aimed at strengthening its security and justice sector institutions. In particular, there has been progress in strengthening the legal framework, including legal protections for human rights, increasing the transparency of public institutions, enhancing accountability, and fighting corruption.

I am honored to join Governor Medina as we officially deliver Merida-funded equipment to the Universidad de Ciencias de la Seguridad.  This vital equipment includes riot gear, defensive tactics protective gear, academic control system software, infirmary equipment and this ambulance [point to ambulance on display].   The United States is committed to contributing and supporting the Government of Mexico in our mutual fight against organized crime.  I know that Governor Medina and his cabinet are working everyday to ensure that Nuevo Leon is a safe and secure place to live, work, and visit.  On behalf of the thousands of U.S. citizens and U.S. companies in Nuevo Leon, I thank the Government of Nuevo Leon for its efforts.