Mexico Asks U.S. For Help In War On Drugs
Mexico is seeking the United States' aid in what appears to be a losing battle in the war on drugs. Ambassador Arturo Sarukhan has called for the U.S. to provide intelligence information, training and resources to help battle drug trafficking between the two nations, which are connected by a nearly 2,000 mile border.
Mexico has faced a recent surge in drug trafficking, which has led to nationwide violence and chaos. Interior Secretary Francisco Ramirez, the nation’s top domestic security official, acknowledged that the Mexico had completely lost control of its drug situation prior to the recent drug offensive launched by new President Felipe Calderon. Since taking office in December 2006, Calderon has sent federal police and over 24,000 troops to fight ruthless drug gangs whose power is partly fueled by American demand for drugs.
Blamed for over 1,000 gruesome deaths this year alone, Mexican drug gangs are assisted by American money launderers, weapons traffickers and chemical manufacturers who promote drug manufacture, trafficking and consumption on both sides of the border. Mexico’s current strategy involves establishing firm drug-free territory and leveraging it against drug gangs. But the country’s efforts probably will fail without United States cooperation and efforts to reduce drug demand and the flow of weapons and supplies south of the border.
However desperate Mexico’s drug situation, the country is loath to consider a military-supported anti-drug operation like Plan Columbia, an anti-cocaine initiative that has cost the United States over five billion dollars since the year 2000. Instead, Mexico is requesting that the United States aggressively fight national drug consumption and provide information and training for the cross-border anti-drug effort.
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