Mexico worried about getting less US anti-drug aid
Deputy Secretary of Foreign Relations Carlos Rico says he is concerned that the bill passed last week allotted $300 million for Mexico under the so-called Merida Initiative. That is $100 million less than originally agreed upon between the U.S. and Mexican governments.
A 25% cut in “Plan Mexico” money is a hopeful sign that budget constraints are forcing our government to reconsider the cost of the drug war. Remember that originally Mexico requested $500 Million a year, and wanted $450 Million for 2009. Most of this money is going to fund US plane and helicopter manufacturers (eight Bell 412 helicopters, two small Cessna 208 airplanes), surveillance software, and other goods produced by U.S. defense contractors. Given this, I wouldn’t expect the 4 year plan to be zeroed out, but it looks like the funds for the military may be drastically reduced.
[...] subsidizing the high profits the Mexicans make on marijuana, and then our tax dollars subsidize the Merida Initiative that buys more helicopters, drones, surveillance, ammunition, and police to fight the traffickers! [...]
These people do need help. The biggest problem is our laws here are causing this mess. I sure hope we as a country can come together an fix the disaster.
In the short term fighting the cartels is gonna have to be done.
In the near term the laws must change
In the long run they will. A ‘no choice’ scenario will win out.