Merida Initiative: The United States Needs Better Performance Measures for Its Counternarcotics and Anticrime Support Efforts

Abstract

Crime and violence related to drug trafficking in Mexico and Central America have increased in recent years and pose a threat not only to those areas but to the United States as well, particularly along the Southwest border. The Merida Initiative, announced in 2007, provides about $1.6 billion in law enforcement support to Mexico and Central American countries. The Department of State (State) manages the Initiative while other U.S. agencies play key roles in implementation. This testimony addresses (1) the status of Merida program implementation; (2) State's strategy for implementation; and (3) coordination mechanisms in place for Merida. This testimony is based on a new GAO report being released at todays hearing (GAO-10-837). The related GAO report recommends that the Secretary of State incorporate into the strategy for the Merida Initiative outcome performance measures that indicate progress toward strategic goals and develop more comprehensive timelines for future program deliveries. State agreed with our recommendations.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jul 21, 2010
Accession Number
AD1178993

Entities

People

  • Debbie Chung
  • Erin S. Rath
  • Grace Lui
  • Jess T. Ford
  • Juan Gobel
  • Marc Castellano
  • Marisela Perez
  • Marti De Alteriis

Organizations

  • United States Government Accountability Office

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Human Systems

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Accountability
  • Agreements
  • Central America
  • Congress
  • Department Of State
  • Electronic Mail
  • Government (Foreign)
  • Governments
  • Homeland Security
  • House Of Representatives
  • Law
  • Law Enforcement
  • National Governments
  • National Security
  • United States
  • United States Government
  • Websites

Readers

  • Defense Acquisition Program Management
  • Political Violence and Terrorism Studies.