Mexican drug wars

MEXICO CITY, March 24 (UPI) -- The United States is fighting the demand for illegal drugs and movement of weapons that have spurred drug-trafficking violence in Mexico, officials said.

A lengthy list of Obama administration Cabinet officials spent Tuesday in Mexico City discussing cross-border efforts at stemming the drug-related violence that has wracked northern Mexico.

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton again said the U.S. government would increase efforts at stopping the smuggling of weapons -- including rocket-launchers and machine guns -- from the United States to Mexico, fire power that is used by drug cartels in turf wars and against Mexican authorities. She also said the United States must address the demand among its citizens for illegal drugs from Mexico.

"Yes, we accept our share of the responsibility," Clinton said at a news conference. "We know that the demand for drugs drives much of this illicit trade and that guns purchases in the U.S. are used to facilitate violence here in Mexico. The United States must and is doing its part."

She said U.S. officials were putting together a drug policy regarding cutting demand for illegal drugs from Mexico.

The high-level U.S. delegation was in Mexico City to discuss how aid in the drug fight -- the Obama administration has earmarked $330 million for the cause -- can be best put to use.