Monday, April 04, 2011
The Obama administration has begun sending drones deep into Mexican territory to gather intelligence. The cooperation emphasized the value of information sharing because both governments share responsibility in the fight against criminal organization on both sides of the border.
Mexico’s drug war, launched by President Felipe Calderon in late 2006, has resulted of government and public deaths of 35, 000 people (Statistics). More than 30 journalists have been killed or have disappeared in Mexico since Calderon began the crackdown, according to the New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists.
Correspondent Ginger Thompson from The New York Times comments that, “the Pentagon began flying high-altitude, unarmed drones over Mexican skies last month, American military officials said, in hopes of collecting information to turn over to Mexican law enforcement agencies (read article).” What’s more, the U.S. began training thousands of Mexican troops and police officers, security units, and providing equipment and intelligence technology.
Analysts say that U.S. aggression is likely to escalate the conflict and Washington's already substantial involvement has led to Americans being targeted; which is likely put more pressure on the Obama administration to act. Nevertheless, the Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano telephoned her Mexican counterpart, Interior Secretary Jose Francisco Blake Mora, to state that violence against U.S. personnel “will not be tolerated.
In an NPR article entitled “Pressure Rises For More U.S. Aid In Mexico Drug War” mentions that, “While U.S. financial aid is impressive, it is a trickle compared with the massive assistance Washington gave Colombia — about $700 million a year for five years — to help fight its drug war, Cardenas says. (read article).”
Many argue that our security is intricately tied with Mexico’s security, and so we should be investing in our relationship with Mexico. It's in our own self interest to do so. But U.S. aid to Mexico should focus on strengthening law enforcement institutions, cleaning up the court system and providing telephone hot lines and other ways for citizens to get involved.
Mexico’s police force has long been corrupt and its courts lacking transparency.
What do you think?
Increase Your Knowledge:
U.S. Drones Fight Mexican Drug Trade
Mexico news companies agree to drug war coverage guidelines
