U.S. Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates, right, and Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, back right, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, exchange greetings with U.S. Ambassador to Mexico Carlos Pascual and Mexican officials after arriving in Mexico City, March 22, 2010. DoD photo by U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Jerry Morrison
By Army Sgt. 1st Class Michael J. Carden (click title to entry - thank you)
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON March 23, 2010
Top U.S. defense officials met with their Mexican counterparts in Mexico City today to strengthen the U.S.-Mexico military partnership in the fight against drug cartels there.
Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates and chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Navy Adm. Mike Mullen are in Mexico today as part of a U.S. delegation led by Secretary of State Hilary Clinton. U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano and Director of National Intelligence Dennis Blair also are part of the delegation.
The high-level talks are part of the Merida initiative, a partnership promised by President Barack Obama last year to help the region combat drug trafficking and related violence by the cartels. The three-year program provides $1.6 billion to fund drug-fighting initiatives.
The talks demonstrate the level of commitment the United States has in aiding Mexico in its struggle against the cartels and to impede the drug trade from crossing the border into the United States, Pentagon press secretary Geoff Morrell told reporters at a news conference here today....
