More on U.S. Tie's with Mexico Drug War

Not only is Mexico fighting the raging drug cartels that infest their country, but they are battling the United States as well. Hilary Clinton admits, "There is no question that they are fighting against both of our governments,Tragically, that fact was underscored on March 13th," with the murders of two Americans and a Mexican affiliated with the U.S. consulate in Ciudad Juarez, Clinton said." Despite the military and offical aid offered by the U.S. Mexican officials insist that the main problem that needs to be dealt with is U.S. Drug Consumption. The Obama administration plans to carry out and extend the financial aid previously offered by the Bush Administration, coming in around another 330 million dollars. Many say that these offers are too small and not very proactive. The U.S. is fully involved in this situation, not only becuase Mexico is our neighbor but because we are fueling the problem itself. We need strategy and more effective aid. Andrew Selee, the director of the Woodrow Wilson Ceneter's Mexico Institute explains, "A future strategy will have to look at effective ways to track criminal organizations and their finances, reduce the demand for narcotics and build dialogue with communities that are under stress from the current violence." In terms of the drug demand in the United States, diminishing it seems close to impossible, but changing the channels in which is distributed could seriously stymie the power of the cartels. The failed Prop 19 passing in 2010 shows exactly how difficult the possible decriminalization or legalization of marijuana will be, but must be considered as a path for peace for Mexico, if not a solution, its a small step to help Mexican officials slowly break down the Cartels.


CBS Report