MEXICO CITY, March 25 (UPI) -- Mexico's spiraling drug-related violence has prompted U.S. defense officials to consider added measures, ahead of a planned helicopter package delivery, to address growing security concerns.
Leading members of U.S. President Barack Obama's Cabinet, including U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, and other senior security advisers, such as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of States U.S. Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, were drawn to high-level talks in Mexico this week.
"You don't bring out the big guns like Secretary Gates and Admiral Mullen for a delegation like this unless the overriding focus is going to be security, the drug violence and the perception of the impact these have on U.S. national security," says Christopher Sabatini, senior director of policy at the Americas Society/Council of the Americas told The Christian Science Monitor.
During his talks, Gates said initiatives would be taken to expand cooperation with America's troubled southern neighbor under the $1.3 billion Merida Initiative.
The three-year program, begun in 2008, and was designed to help Mexico crack down on swelling drug-related violence that has killed some 18,000 people in the past three years. As part of the program, however, Gates expressed concern over the delay in the delivery of military helicopters to Mexico.
Under the bilateral Merida Initiative, more than $415 million in funds have been appropriated in line with the Foreign Military Financing accounts in fiscal years 2008 and 2009 to purchase "up to eight Bell 412 helicopters, up to five Sikorsky UH-60M helicopters, and also purchase of up to four CASA 235 aircraft, which are fixed-wing naval surveillance and transport aircraft," Pentagon spokesman U.S. Army Lt. Col. Les Melnyk was quoted saying in a Defense News report.
Since that order was placed, however, less than a handful of the platforms have been delivered.
U.S. congressmen have recently alleged that the U.S. Army's Aviation and Missile Command council have purposely delayed getting the helicopters to Mexico but there was no explanation.
While in Mexico, Gates hinted at increased helicopter demands springing from heightened requirements in Afghanistan.
The increased demand, however, could push the Mexican deliveries to 2012 and 2013.
Given the deteriorating state of the security situation in Mexico, Gates said he would "look at all the possibilities to get (Mexico) some bridge capabilities" until the helicopter delivery is completed.
In addition to providing Mexico with equipment, such as military helicopters and vans with X-ray machines that can scan passing vehicles, the U.S. aid also involves training Mexico's federal police in areas including collecting evidence, giving courses for prison officials and promoting a culture of lawfulness in secondary schools, The Wall Street Journal reported.
