Former U.S. Ambassador Antonio Garza: Mexico’s New Course

Former U.S. Ambassador Antonio Garza: Mexico’s New Course

Dec 10, 2012 | | 0 |

n December 1 Enrique Peña Nieto took the oath of office and began his six-year term as President of Mexico. He immediately directed his cabinet—which skews toward economic and technocratic know-how— to get to work, announcing a sweeping 13-point plan for immediate enactment. The next day, he joined leaders of the two main opposition parties for the signing of a Pact for Mexico, a plan to promote Mexico’s development.These and other decisive moves are generating excitement for the country. Whereas one week ago there were undercurrents of optimism, there’s now talk of the need to manage expectations.Mexico has changed...

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Refocusing U.S.-Mexico Security Cooperation – Council on Foreign Relations

Dec 10, 2012 | | 0 |

U.S.-Mexico security cooperation, led by the Merida Initiative, is vital and must continue. But with Enrique Peña Nieto’s inauguration, Mexico’s political landscape is now changing, and the United States must adjust its strategy and support accordingly. Building on the lessons of the past five years, the United States should work with Mexico to implement the nonmilitary programs envisioned in the current Merida framework, in particular supporting and prioritizing Mexico’s ongoing judicial reform, training police officers at the state and local levels, modernizing the U.S.-Mexico border, and investing in local community and youth-oriented programs.via Refocusing U.S.-Mexico Security Cooperation – Council on Foreign...

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Experts fear new wave of violence in Mexico: President Felipe Calderón’s exit creates lull before ‘next narco storm’ – El Paso Times

Experts fear new wave of violence in Mexico: President Felipe Calderón’s exit creates lull before ‘next narco storm’ – El Paso Times

Dec 10, 2012 | | 0 |

A new government regime in Mexico could bring changes to the warring drug cartels and the violence that’s erupted from them, two area experts said as the end of President Felipe Calderón’s reign closes a chapter that left deep scars on the El Paso-Juárez border region.Phil Jordan, former director of the El Paso Intelligence Center, and Carlos Spector, a lawyer who has represented Mexican citizens who fled their country, said they believe the violence may not be over.via Experts fear new wave of violence in Mexico: President Felipe Calderón’s exit creates lull before ‘next narco storm’ – El Paso...

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Shannon K. O’Neil: Refocusing U.S.-Mexico Security Cooperation

Dec 10, 2012 | | 0 |

The Merida Initiative — the cornerstone of U.S.-Mexico security cooperation — completed its fifth year in 2012.Launched under the George W. Bush administration, Merida promised $1.4 billion over three years to “support Mexico’s law enforcement in the fight against organized crime.” The Obama administration revised and expanded Merida’s mission, moving from a heavy emphasis on military equipment to a more comprehensive bilateral strategy that seeks to reduce the role and influence of organized crime. The initiative now encompasses four priorities (called pillars): disrupting the operational capacity of organized crime, institutionalizing the rule of law, creating a twenty-first-century border to speed the flow of legal commerce and stop that of illegal goods, and building strong and resilient communities that can stand up to criminal intrusions.The main problem today is not Merida’s design but its uneven implementation, with the gains in some areas offset by minimal progress in others.via Shannon K. O’Neil: Refocusing U.S.-Mexico Security...

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Mexico’s New President Is Off to a Troubling Start – John Mill Ackerman – The Atlantic

Dec 10, 2012 | | 0 |

Peace and prosperity in North America is best served not by giving Mexico’s new president, Enrique Peña Nieto, the benefit of the doubt, but by ramping up independent oversight of his actions and proposals. Otherwise, Mexico could follow the path of Egypt, where formally democratic elections have already given way to authoritarian politics under the leadership of Mohamed Morsi. In order to avoid such a scenario, U.S. civil society and the media need to resist the hype driven by Peña Nieto, who was inaugurated on December 1, and his allies in the Washington policy community and pay attention to what is really happening south of the Rio Grande. The hope for Mexico’s future does not lie in Peña Nieto, but in the increasingly self-confident and non-violent social movements that will be challenging him at every step.via Mexico’s New President Is Off to a Troubling Start – John Mill Ackerman – The...

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