25 January 2011
Clinton Says U.S., Mexico Join to Combat Cross-Border Crime
Washington — Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton and Mexican Foreign Secretary Patricia Espinosa say the United States and Mexico are taking “decisive steps” to combat cross-border organized crime.
The two leaders made remarks to the press January 24 after meeting in Guanajuato, Mexico.
“When it comes to security, we have shared interests,” Clinton said. “That is why it is important for us to work closely together to halt the stream of illegal weapons and cash coming in one direction and drugs going in the other direction.”
Espinosa emphasized the importance of U.S.-Mexico cooperation in combating transnational crime, which she called a “common enemy” that threatens the security of both nations.
“Our agenda, based on the principle of shared responsibility, includes actions of interdiction and disarticulation of criminal groups, and also the fight against arms trafficking and money laundering, social development issues, and also issues related to reducing the consumption of drugs,” Espinosa said.
This agenda is guided largely by the Merida Initiative, through which the United States, Mexico and several Central American nations united to confront the shared problem of transnational violence. The program was launched in 2008 and is designed to enhance government efforts to halt drug trafficking and cross-border organized crime.
“Through Merida, we are working to help Mexico strengthen court systems, build resilient communities, and offer constructive alternatives for young people,” Clinton said. The United States has committed to deliver $500 million to the Mexican government in equipment and other resources in 2011, she said.
Clinton said the joint effort has produced “real results on both sides of the border.”
“On the Mexican side, thanks to improved intelligence and targeting, nearly two dozen high-level traffickers have been captured or killed just in the past year. On the U.S. side, the FBI just arrested the largest number of Mafia members in history this month,” Clinton said.
But though significant improvements have been made, Clinton says much remains to be done.
“We still have work to do. I’m not going to deny that. But we are making progress,” she said.
Clinton said in addition to addressing security concerns, the United States and Mexico are working to boost economic ties, enhance educational exchanges and cooperate on issues of public health.
“No other country-to-country relationship has such a direct and daily bearing on our people, and I look forward to continuing our work together,” Clinton said.
(This is a product of the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://www.america.gov)
