US, Mexico build police academy in anti-drug effort

Editor's Note: Throwing good money after bad in the war on drugs to fight the supply chain. Never mind that the magnet of demand is never going away.

© AFP/File Francisco Vega

AFP

PUEBLA, Mexico (AFP) - The United States and Mexico have begun building a new police academy in the central Mexican state of Puebla as part of the Merida joint anti-drug effort, the head of the initiative said.

Mexican federal police have been receiving training under the auspices of the Merida program since 2008 at a public security academy at San Luis Potosi in northern Mexico that trains officers for a variety of missions.

But Keith Mines, the US director of the Merida Initiative, said on Monday that the new academy would be the "first of its kind in the world" and would cater exclusively to security forces involved in the initiative.

US drones 'over Mexico to track drug lords'

© AFP/File Joel Saget

AFP

WASHINGTON (AFP) - The United States has begun sending unarmed drones deep into Mexico to gather intelligence about powerful drug cartels in order to assist local authorities, the New York Times reported on Wednesday.

The newspaper said US President Barack Obama and his Mexican counterpart Felipe Calderon formally agreed to the high-altitude missions in a meeting on March 3 but have kept it secret because of possible political and legal constraints.

It cited unnamed US officials as saying that the drones gathered vital information leading to Mexico's arrest of several suspects in last month's killing of US immigration and customs agent Jaime Zapata, 32.

Expanding U.S.-Mexico Economic and Security Cooperation

image source: Be Your Own Leader

Dana Gabriel
Be Your Own Leader

There were growing concerns over drug violence prior to the recent U.S.-Mexico summit, along with other issues which have been a source of friction between the two countries. Despite any perceived tension, both leaders showcased their bilateral partnership and vowed to enhance collaboration. They focused on immigration, along with economic issues and took steps to end the long-standing dispute over cross-border trucking. The leaders also agreed to further deepen their cooperation in combating drug cartels.

During a Joint Press Conference following their bilateral meeting, President Barack Obama praised Mexico as a valued partner and thanked President Felipe Calderon for, “being here today to deepen the cooperation that is so essential to the prosperity and security of both of our countries.” He noted, “we’re moving ahead with plans for a 21st century border so people and goods can cross securely and efficiently. We’re working to coordinate and streamline regulations and get rid of unnecessary trade barriers to make it easier to do business together.” Obama also announced, “we finally have found a clear path to resolving the dispute over trucking between our two countries.” He added, “I look forward to consulting with Congress and moving forward in a way that strengthens the safety of cross-border trucking, lifts tariffs on billions of dollars of U.S. goods, (and) expands our exports to Mexico.” Under NAFTA, the border was to be opened to Mexican trucks, but safety concerns blocked the provision’s implementation. In the coming months, negotiators are expected to table an agreement that will include a phased-in program to settle the issue.