Merida and Integrated Strategic Solutions

Abstract

The current level of violence associated with feuding drug cartels in Mexico has become politically and internationally unacceptable, creating a fear that Mexico could become a failed state. Since taking office in 2006, Mexican President Felipe Calderon has pledged to fight the cartels and restore the rule of law and public confidence. In response to a request for assistance from Mexico, the United States funded a $1.4 billion program called the Merida Initiative that provides equipment, training, and funding to assist in the war against the cartels. This paper examines the Merida Initiative, its goals and how the program combined with other U.S. led counter-narcotics initiatives, will have a long-term impact on crime and its associated violence in Mexico. Additionally, this paper will identify the root causes of the current crisis as well as Merida's shortcomings and suggest ways to enhance the overall effectiveness of the initiative.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Oct 28, 2011
Accession Number
ADA555425

Entities

People

  • Anthony Velazquez

Organizations

  • Naval War College

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Engineered Resilient Systems
  • Human Systems
  • Materials and Manufacturing Processes
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Border Security
  • Crime
  • Criminal Investigations
  • Criminal Justice System
  • Criminals
  • Governments
  • Information Exchange
  • Law
  • Law Enforcement
  • Military Operations
  • Narcotics
  • Police
  • Security
  • Training
  • United States
  • Violence
  • War Colleges

Readers

  • Political Violence and Terrorism Studies.