Merida Initiative unveiled
Yesterday, the administration requested $550 million from Congress to fund the Merida Initiative (also known on this blog as "Not Plan Mexico" or NPM).
Details from State:
Coverage from AP, Washington Post, NYT, Miami Herald, LA Times, Houston Chronicle, Dallas Morning News and BBC. Mexico's El Universal has good coverage as well.
Three points about the coverage:
1. Congress is not happy that this is the first time they've seen the details of this funding. There have been hints from the administration about what would be included, but there is already push-back suggesting Congress should have had a greater role. I think that means there will be a more difficult debate over the coming months.
2. The funding is part of the larger war supplemental that includes money for Iraq, Afghanistan, Sudan and North Korea. I'm not sure how that will play into the final debate, but it could be that this money passes or fails not based on its own merits.
3. Yes, most media outlets (including outlets in Mexico) are referring to this as "Plan Mexico." Apparently not giving it a name and simply telling reporters that is was "not Plan Mexico" didn't help the branding.
Details from State:
- Non-intrusive inspection equipment, ion scanners, canine units for Mexican customs, for the new federal police and for the military to interdict trafficked drugs, arms, cash and persons.
- Technologies to improve and secure communications systems to support collecting information as well as ensuring that vital information is accessible for criminal law enforcement.
- Technical advice and training to strengthen the institutions of justice – vetting for the new police force, case management software to track investigations through the system to trial, new offices of citizen complaints and professional responsibility, and establishing witness protection programs.
- Helicopters and surveillance aircraft to support interdiction activities and rapid operational response of law enforcement agencies in Mexico.
- Initial funding for security cooperation with Central America that responds directly to Central American leaders’ concerns over gangs, drugs, and arms articulated during July SICA meetings and the SICA Security Strategy.
- Includes equipment and assets to support counterpart security agencies inspecting and interdicting drugs, trafficked goods, people and other contraband as well as equipment, training and community action programs in Central American countries to implement anti-gang measures and expand the reach of these measures in the region.
Coverage from AP, Washington Post, NYT, Miami Herald, LA Times, Houston Chronicle, Dallas Morning News and BBC. Mexico's El Universal has good coverage as well.
Three points about the coverage:
1. Congress is not happy that this is the first time they've seen the details of this funding. There have been hints from the administration about what would be included, but there is already push-back suggesting Congress should have had a greater role. I think that means there will be a more difficult debate over the coming months.
2. The funding is part of the larger war supplemental that includes money for Iraq, Afghanistan, Sudan and North Korea. I'm not sure how that will play into the final debate, but it could be that this money passes or fails not based on its own merits.
3. Yes, most media outlets (including outlets in Mexico) are referring to this as "Plan Mexico." Apparently not giving it a name and simply telling reporters that is was "not Plan Mexico" didn't help the branding.
Labels: latinamerica, Mexico, security |
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