Politics

Guanajuato –  U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton gave solid backing to Mexico's fight against organized crime in announcing $500 million in additional aid to the Mexican government in 2011.

Clinton, who visited the central city of Guanajuato to meet with her Mexican counterpart Patricia Espinosa, told a press conference that the money is part of the Merida Initiative, a $1.4 billion anti-drug plan created under the George W. Bush administration in 2007.

The program contributes not only funds but also equipment, technology, intelligence and training.

Clinton specified that of the $500 million being granted in 2011, $60 million is for "nonintrusive inspection equipment that will help law enforcement and customs agents to detect illegal arms and money moving into and within Mexico."

"It is important for us to work closely together to halt the stream of illegal weapons and cash coming in one direction and drugs going in the other direction," she said, adding that the United States and Mexico "share responsability" for the problem of organized crime and drug trafficking.

"Through Merida, we are working to help Mexico strengthen court systems, build resilient communities, and offer constructive alternatives for young people," Clinton said.

In the historic Alhondiga de Granaditas, a 1809 building where the meeting was held, the secretary admitted to being a "fan" of the fight against drugs undertaken by the government of Mexican President Felipe Calderon.

"We still have work to do," Clinton said. "I'm not going to deny that. But we are making progress. And President Calderon's very courageous leadership is one of the reasons why we are making some gains that are important."

Clinton also answered criticism of human rights violations by Mexican security forces, saying Washington thinks the Mexican government is making progress on that front.

"There needs to be more legislation passed, which the Calderon government is hoping to achieve," she said.

Espinosa took the occasion to tell Clinton of the Mexican government's concern about "the proliferation of local measures (in the United States) that contain elements of discrimination against Mexican and Mexican-American communities."

"It's incomprehensible that there are still those who want to go back to applying laws based on stereotypes, on people's appearance and on their native cultures. That would be an alarming precedent," she said.

Following the talks with Espinosa, Clinton traveled to Mexico City for a nearly two-hour meeting with Calderon at his official residence.

During the meeting, Calderon stressed the importance of continuing to work in a spirit of shared responsibility and mutual respect, as he agreed previously with U.S. President Barack Obama, the Mexican government said in a communique.