The US is working to rush assistance to Mexico as it fights violent drug cartels, including equipment to help authorities track the narcotics mafia, the top US military officer said.
“We’re all working very hard to move the capabilities that are desirable to Mexico as quickly as we can,” US Admiral Mike Mullen told reporters late Friday from his aircraft after holding talks in Mexico.
“We all have a sense of urgency about this,” he said.
During his meetings with the country’s military leadership, Mullen said he discussed how Washington could help in the battle against the powerful cartels, citing intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) as a crucial element.
“ISR, that kind of capability is certainly a big part of it,” Mullen said, using a term that can refer to unmanned drones.
He said the emphasis would be on sharing intelligence “but in recognition that there are additional assets that could be brought to bear across the full ISR spectrum,” he said.
With last year’ death toll from drug-related violence at 5,300 as well-financed cartels orchestrate a campaign of intimidation and kidnappings, the crisis over the border has become a serious national security concern for the US
The visit by the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff underlined US alarm over the escalating violence, which experts say is fed by easy access to guns and drug profits on the US side of the border.
Mullen said the US military was ready to share tactics learned in fighting insurgent networks in Iraq and Afghanistan that he said could prove useful in Mexico’ drug war.
The US military was “hearing a lot of lessons we’ve learned, how we’ve developed similar capabilities over the last three or four years in our counter-insurgency efforts as we have fought terrorist networks.”
The admiral said there was no discussion of deploying US troops to the border but Mexican authorities were increasingly open to bolstering military cooperation with the US, in a break with tradition.
“What I find is the military to military relationship is the best I’ve ever seen it,” Mullen said.
As part of the US Merida Initiative that gives Mexico US$1.4 billion over three years to fight the growing drug mafia, Mullen said the military and other government agencies were trying to expedite funding and assistance already approved under the federal budget for last year.
The two countries started sharing intelligence after signing an agreement in November and under the Merida program the US plans to deliver helicopters, maritime surveillance aircraft and other equipment, according to the Pentagon.
During his visit to Mexico, Mullen met Mexican Secretary of Defense General Guillermo Galvan and navy chief Mariano Francisco Saynez, saying he had come to hear how the US could help.
“I share their deep concern over organized crime and narco-trafficking and appreciate their vigorous efforts to improve security,” Mullen said in a statement earlier.
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