Mexico and the US Announce the Beginning of a New Security Alliance Between “Equal Partners”
MEXICO CITY, MEXICO – OCTOBER 08: (LR) US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Mexican Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard shake hands during a conference as part of the High Level Security Dialogue at SRE Building on October 08, 2021 in Mexico City, Mexico. Antony Blinken and Marcelo Ebrard also meet to dialogue on the relation between both countries. President of Mexico Lopez Obrador joined Blinken and Ebrard in a private event. (Photo by Hector Vivas / Getty Images)
Photo: Hector Vivas / Getty Images
The Merida Initiative it is part of the past. It was an agreement that had its origin 13 years ago and whose reason for being was boost Mexico’s capacity to face crime; it was developed by Presidents Felipe CalderĂłn and George W. Bush.
The meeting between representatives of both parties this week in the Mexican capital – the High Level Dialogue on Security—It ended with the creation and announcement of a new agreement for joint cooperation on various topics.
Anthony Blinken, US Secretary of State assured from the Mexican capital that “it is time for a comprehensive approach to security”, In which we must work“ as equal partners in defining our shared priorities ”.
This approach, the official specified, must be carried forward not only in application of the law, but also address causes of insecurity What the corruption and inequity. In addition, the rule of law, health, and opportunities for everyone in economic matters.
Upon migration, Blinken specified that “Mexico and the United States strongly believe that we need to have a regional work on this. It’s a regional focus, a greater sense and also a practical application of the notion of shared responsibility”.
For its part, Marcelo Ebrard, Mexican Foreign Minister, said that beyond what the Merida Initiative represented, with this plan it is not enough to capture drug traffickers or the possession of Military equipment; the addictions and the causes that make young people enlist in the Criminal organizations.
“Of limited cooperation we are going to an alliance, which is something very different, is qualitatively superior. You only ally yourself with someone you trust and respect, ”added Ebrard.
He specified that “the success of this is going to be measured because fewer homicides in Mexico and less drug use”.
The joint statement establishes investments in public health for the attention of consumption of drugs, the dismantling of criminal networks and prevent crime between both nations, through the reduction of arms trafficking and people.
Within the commitments of the United States is to allocate more resources for people with addiction to opioids; On the Mexican side, it is incorporated to work hand in hand with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) to implement measures that limit the importation of chemical precursors for synthetic drugs.
On both sides of the court is the fight against those who import chemical precursors from fentanyl and methamphetamine, its clandestine laboratories and financial networks.
This call Bicentennial understanding, named so because in 2022 both countries will celebrate 200 years of diplomatic relations, is based on the pillars of investment in public health, prevention of cross border crime and dismantling of criminal networks.
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