RSSMexico’s failure to adequately confront its rampant gang activity has allowed the number of local armed groups to significantly increase. Organized crime-related homicides have risen alarmingly – jumping 47 percent this year to nearly 1400 deaths. Public Security Minister Genaro Garcia Luna claimed that the gangsters have a greater supply of high-caliber weapons than the police. Clearly, President Calderon needs the aid that the proposed Merida Initiative would provide in order to challenge the dangerous increase in the number of organized criminal groups.
The Merida Initiative initially would provide US$550 million in aid aimed at countering criminal organizations in Mexico and Central America. It would supply training, equipment and long-term technical support to recipient governments. However, the plan would impose several conditions on the aid, stipulations which Mexico believes threaten its sovereignty. Mexico’s Foreign Minister Patricia Espinosa was only one of a number of Mexican Public figures who informed the United States Congress that the Merida Initiative does not represent “genuine cooperation and co-responsibility,” and is unacceptable in its current form.
Among other onerous conditions, the plan would force Mexican soldiers accused of human rights abuses in their country to face the civil courts rather than court-martials. Despite Mexico’s complaints about the violation of its sovereignty, investigations into frequent drug and crime-related human rights abuses would undoubtedly prove beneficial to Mexico’s civil society. In addition, Mexico stands to profit from the telling blow that would be delivered against corruption as well as from the U.S. aid aimed at thwarting organized crime. The aid would be of enormous help to Mexico’s conspicuously overwhelmed and under-funded criminal justice forces.
While the equipment and training that the Merida Initiative would provide is essential to stemming organized crime and help to confront drug cartel forces that adversely affect both Mexico and the United States, assistance to one of the most corrupt governments in the hemisphere needs some form of oversight. U.S. Ambassador Tony Garza is notorious for his arrogant attacks against Mexicans who opposed the Iraq War and has acted more as a pro-consul rather than as an ambassador. The U.S. Congress has said that this supervision and conditions are necessary in order to ensure that taxpayers’ money is properly spent. Mexico cannot fix these problems on its own. If Washington is to aid Mexico, then the country should be prepared to accept reasonable conditions calling for close monitoring of the war against these serious delinquencies.
Mexico and the Merida Initiative – A Difficult Call
by COHA Research Associate Emily Dunn
Amazing how the vague and ineffective mention of human rights in the bill’s language has been spun into a presumed affront on Mexico’s sovereignty. The intrusion of mercenaries from Blackwater and training from SOA-style consultants and greater reliance on US military technology and surveillance equipment would do far more to undermine Mexican interests over the long run. The US is trying to ensure that it’s neighbor to the South is compelled to align with its foreign policy interests, rather than a multi-polar world of Central and South American alliances it cannot dominate with client states, as it has with Plan Colombia.
Garza has actually said that these discussions are part of the “internal” workings of Congress and will have no real world bearing. In any case they only pertain to 25% of the proposed funding.
Let’s have real progress on outstanding human rights violations, like the murder of US reporter Brad Will, and the many murdered in Oaxaca and elsewhere before considering sending one penny.
I am Mexican and we Mexicans do know that we need to make better our justice system, but we do not accept pressures from foreign governments (even more when the USA threatens human rights in Guantanamo and its soldiers do not face civil courts also) . We are going to do whatever it needs to be done to be a better country, but Americans should not interfere with our own legislative processes. 350 million dollars is nothing for Mexico, we are subsidizing our fuel with 19 billion dollars, do you really think that 350 million dollars are going to make the difference? Keep your money and use it to prosecute drug dealers in your own territory. Why does the drug fight disappear when it crosses to US soil? It is there and the American government does nothing; the dirty job and the lives are given to Mexicans. Also do something to stop smuggling firearms into Mexican territory. Do your own work!
I think money should be spent on more positive things than a drug war. If we really want to help Mexico, and even if we don’t, the money could be better spent on technological exchange and health care equipment, science, etc. for Mexico; or the money could be spent in the US for other positive uses. Stepping up the drug war is only destabilizing Mexico and increasing violence. The drug war will never be won and as long as there is a huge US market for drugs there will be people ready and willing to provide them. The only thing the Merida initiative is doing is increasing violence, instability and human rights abuses. The American people should be against the Merida initiative and against the drug war. Aren’t we in enough wars already? We are in two in the Middle East and now we want one in our back door. I think it is time to look for less costly, non-violent solutions instead of violent military-type solutions. The Merida initiative and the drug war is a BIG waste of taxpayer money, time, lives and other resources with no clear-cut positive results. Say no to the Merida initiative and the drug war.
Hi.
I think is very important that US organizations such as COHA get this kind of articles in peoples’ minds, however I see some knowledge gaps in this information and I completely disagree with this phrase… and others…
“The aid would be of enormous help to Mexico’s conspicuously overwhelmed and under-funded criminal justice forces.”
Yes, Mexico is a country where crime is a big issue and crime has reached very high levels, even higher than the President (if we can call him President after the fraud that was pulled to put him in power).
My point here is that this plan will only give money to the higher ranks of military in Mexico and to the “so called” President, and will put more GUNS in my country. Which I know is completely normal in the US that lot of people “even little kids” have REAL and powerful GUNS. Frankly I don’t see how is that going to help Mexico’s society…
The worst way of fighting fire is with fire.
PS. Approving this plan will made the military in Mexico have an Extra-Boss(owner)… the US, but I think that is very common thing… to own and invade other countries’ sovereignty.
I am sorry If I have touched a nerve, but I think is not wise to have an opinion of this kind without proof.
Besides that I think this organization PULLS a GREAT effort, Keep it coming and PLEASE speak louder, have no fear!
Thank you. and remember, this is just the opinion of someone else
Rodrigo C.