Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

US Nears Deal to Fight Mexican Drug Cartels

Aid package would signal new level of cooperation

By Heather McPherson,  Newser User

Posted Aug 8, 2007 1:15 PM CDT

(Newser) – The Bush administration will send hundreds of millions of dollars in aid to Mexico to combat drug cartels in a deal that's on the verge of approval, the Washington Post reports. The package, which would include equipment and training for anti-drug teams, represents a new level of cooperation. "The days of the finger-pointing are over," says a senior Republican aide.

Touchy details, like the level of US activity in Mexico, are still being worked out, and White House secrecy surrounding negotiations is already drawing fire from Democrats. Nevertheless, the deal is expected to be unveiled soon. The program would be the largest foreign anti-drug push by the US since a relatively unsuccessful program in Colombia that began in 2000.

Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper, left, Mexican President Felipe Calderon and President Bush, right, talk in Heiligendamm, Germany, Friday, June 8, 2007. (AP Photo/CP, Fred Chartrand)
Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper, left, Mexican President Felipe Calderon and President Bush, right, talk in Heiligendamm, Germany, Friday, June 8, 2007. (AP Photo/CP, Fred Chartrand)   (Associated Press)
Mexico's President Felipe Calderon speaks during a ceremony at the National Palace in Mexico City, Monday, July 16, 2007. (Alexandre Meneghini)
Mexico's President Felipe Calderon speaks during a ceremony at the National Palace in Mexico City, Monday, July 16, 2007. (Alexandre Meneghini)   (Associated Press)
Mexican President Felipe Calderon inaugurates the Let's clean up Mexico program, aimed at keeping drugs out of schools in Monterrey, northern Mexico, Monday, July 2, 2007, exactly a year after winning the country's presidential elections against leftist candidate Manuel Andres Lopez Obrador. If Mexico repeated last year's election today, President...
Mexican President Felipe Calderon inaugurates the "Let's clean up Mexico" program, aimed at keeping drugs out of schools in Monterrey, northern Mexico, Monday, July 2, 2007, exactly a year after winning...   (Associated Press)
A forensic police checks the car of police commander Mario Sanchez after he was shot dead by unknown gunmen in a wealthy Monterrey suburb, Mexico, Saturday, May 19, 2007. Mario Sanchez, 47, was killed by gunmen wielding automatic rifles after he finished a night shift in San Nicolas de los...
A forensic police checks the car of police commander Mario Sanchez after he was shot dead by unknown gunmen in a wealthy Monterrey suburb, Mexico, Saturday, May 19, 2007. Mario Sanchez, 47, was killed...   (Associated Press)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
COMMENTS
Be the first to comment on this story.
 

NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Timelines   |   POPSUGAR Tech   |   Business Insider   |   HuffPost Entertainment   |   NewsOne