Assistant Secretary Johnson Visits Mexico
to Observe Merida Initiative Progress
Mexico City, September 2, 2009 – Assistant
Secretary for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs
David Johnson was in Mexico from August 30 to September 2 to
meet with Mexican counterparts and see first-hand the progress
in U.S. – Mexico cooperation under the Merida Initiative.
Assistant Secretary Johnson is the State Department official
responsible for funds used to support the Merida Initiative.
Johnson stated, “Far more than the helicopters
and x-ray machines, the lasting legacy of the Merida Initiative
will be the improved cooperation between our governments and
people in the fight against crime, and the increased capacity
of Mexico’s institutions to counter the cartels and bring
their leaders to justice.”
Under the Merida Initiative, the United States
is providing $400 million in fiscal year 2008 funds and $720
million in fiscal year 2009 funds to support the Government
of Mexico’s security forces, judiciary, civil society,
and health organizations. In addition to equipment that has
already been delivered to Mexico, including x-ray machines,
armored vehicles and a forensic document lab, the Embassy expects
to deliver five Bell helicopters for SEDENA, over $7 million
in additional non-intrusive inspection equipment, and critical
software for the PGR’s case tracking system before the
end of the year
In December the U.S. and Mexico will open a
Merida Implementation Office in Mexico City where officials
from both countries will work together to track Merida programs
and develop new strategies to confront our mutual threats.
The Merida Initiative has also funded technical
assistance for
