Book Description:
Increasing violence perpetrated by drug trafficking organizations (DTOs) and other criminal groups is threatening citizen security in Mexico. Mexican DTOs dominate the illicit drug market in the U.S. and are expanding their operations by forming partnerships with U.S. gangs. As a result, some of the drug-related violence in Mexico has spilled over into the United States. On October 22, 2007, the U.S. and Mexico announced the Merida Initiative, a proposed package of U.S. counterdrug and anticrime assistance for Mexico and Central America that would begin in 2008 and last through 2010. This book provides an overview of the funding provided for the Merida Initiative, the status of Merida implementation, and a discussion of some policy issues that Congress may consider as it oversees the Initiative.

Imprint: Nova Science

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Table of Contents:
Preface

Merida Initiative for Mexico and Central America: Funding and Policy Issues, pp. 1-28
(Clare Ribando Seelke, Specialist in Latin American Affairs)

Mexico's Narco-Insurgency and U.S. Counterdrug Policy, pp. 29-58
(Hal Brands)

Mexico's Drug-Related Violence, pp. 59-81
(June S. Beittel, Analyst in Latin American Affairs)

Opening Statement of Chairman Eliot L. Engel, House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere, Hearing on "Guns, Drugs and Violence: The Merida Initiative and the Challenge in Mexico", pp. 83-84

Opening Statement of Ranking Member Connie Mack, Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere, Committee on Foreign Affairs, Hearing on "Guns, Drugs and Violence: The Merida Initiative and the Challenge in Mexico", pp. 85-86

Testimony of David T. Johnson, Assistant Secretary of State, Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL), before the Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere, Hearing on "Guns, Drugs and Violence: The Merida Initiative and the Challenge in Mexico", pp. 87-95

Testimony of Roberta S. Jacobson, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State, Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs, before the Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere, Hearing on "Guns, Drugs and Violence: The Merida Initiative and the Challenge in Mexico", pp. 97-100

Testimony of Thomas A. Shannon, Assistant Secretary of State, Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs, before the Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs, Committee on Appropriations, pp. 101-105

Statement of Rodger D. Garner, U.S. Agency for International Development, USAID Mission Director to Mexico, before the Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs, pp. 107-110

The Merida Initiatve, U.S. Responsibilities & Human Rights, Testimony presented by Lisa Haugaard, Director, Latin America Working Group to the House Committee on Appropriations Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs, pp. 111-120

Testimony of Joy Olson, Executive Director of the Washington Office on Latin America on the Merida Initiative, before the House Appropriations Committee, Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations and Related Programs, pp. 121-128

Testimony of Ana Paula Hernandez, Consultant in Mexico on Human Rights and Drug Policy on the Merida Initiative, before the House Appropriations Committee, Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations and Related Programs, pp. 129-135

Status of Funds for the Merida Initiative, pp. 137-158
(GAO)

Index