Equipment and training in support of law enforcement and security operations. This report is by the foreign affairs related bills and some nominations citation data are temporarily incomplete. Robinson, cody 2014 the merida initiative and us border security. This report begins with a brief discussion of security challenges in mexico and mexicos security strategy. Obamas merida initiative funded mexicos southern wall, now it should fund ours. Merida, a genus of moth in the family geometridae merida initiative, an americanled drug interdiction program for mexico and central america merida dragon prince, a fictional people created by fantasy author melanie rawn for her dragon prince series. On may 26, the latin america initiative at brookings and the washington office for latin america hosted a discussion on the central american component of the merida initiative, a. The evolving merida initiative and the policy of shared responsibility in u.
This is more than ten times current annual us antidrug aid to mexico. The strategic framework for implementing the myriad of merida initiative activities and programs is referred to as the. To authorize law enforcement and security assistance, and assistance to enhance the rule of law and strengthen civilian institutions, for mexico and the countries of central america, and for other purposes. Sabrina abuhamdeh in recent decades, central america, the caribbean, and mexico have had the dubious honor of being key players in the global drug market. Mexican security cooperation has increased significantly, largely as a result of the development and implementation of the merida initiative, a counterdrug and anticrime. The merida initiative and beyond showing 14 of 31 pages in this report. The merida initiative, which has been proposed by the u. It is still unclear whether the framework of shared responsibility that has guided security cooperation between both nations will be deepened and strengthened, as it has been over the past decade, or is completely overhauled.
Mexican security cooperation the merida initiative and beyond. The government of mexico is investigating and prosecuting violations of human rights in civilian courts in 2015, the world justice project ranked mexicos criminal justice system 93 out of 102. In merida, the united states and mexico have reaffirmed a commitment to enhanced partnership, cooperation, training, assistance, information sharing, built on the premise that we have a shared responsibility to confront these criminals and protect our citizens, and. Department of state as an unprecedented partnership between the united states and mexico to fight organized crime and. The merida initiative is a multiyear program to provide equipment and training to support law enforcement operations and technical assistance for longterm reform and oversight of security agencies.
The merida initiative is an unprecedented partnership between the united. Citizens monitoring the booths provide information to people reporting crimes, advise them of their rights, and invite them to file criminal complaints, which has led to greater accountability and increased customer service in district attorneys offices. This paper examines the sustainability of the merida initiative as a counterdrug. This paper will also attempt to understand the merida initiative in the context of the war on terrorism due to the september 11th attacks on. The merida initiative and shared responsibility in u. Funding and policy issues congressional research service 2 have problems with impunity, police corruption, and human rights abuses by security forces that have hindered the performance and reputation of their law enforcement and judicial systems. The merida initiative is an unprecedented partnership between the united states and mexico to fight organized crime and associated violence while furthering respect for human rights and the rule of law. In the policy brief, the author provides a series of policy options for building on and improving the u.
Microsoft word merida initiative overview julio 2015 spanish. Olson, associate director of the latin american program and senior advisor on security to the mexico institute. The merida initiative is a multibillion dollar effort by the united states government to assist mexico, central america and the caribbean in their fight against drug trafficking organizations. The latest plan to combat dtos and the drug trade, the mrida initiative, has gained high visibility and shows promise at providing an adequate solution. The agreement was developed in the result of persistent. Pdf the merida initiative a flawed counterdrug policy. The merida initiative celebrates its tenth anniversary. Mexico security cooperation taskforce present a road map for u. It then provides information on congressional funding and oversight of the merida initiative, with details about each of the programs four pillars.
Jul 21, 2010 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. Trump as president of the united states opens a new era in u. This paper will also attempt to understand the merida initiative in the context of the war on terrorism due to the september 11th attacks on the twin towers in new york city. This thesis will discuss the effectiveness of the mrida initiative and its ability to impact the trafficking of illegal narcotics in the united states and latin america. You may download a free version of acrobat by visiting the adobe website. Department of state as an unprecedented partnership between the united. Failed states, mexico, merida initiative, ayotzinapa. The merida initiative, also referred to as plan mexico, is described by the u. The merida initiative is envisioned for three years of funding fy0810. Our assessment of the human rights requirements is as follows.
Ford, director of international affairs and trade team of the government accountability office gao, about inefficiencies of the merida initiative in a house. The merida initiative supports efforts partner nations themselves have initiated to combat a common enemy transnational criminal organizations. In merida, the united states and mexico have reaffirmed a commitment to enhanced partnership, cooperation, training, assistance, information sharing, built on the premise that we have a shared responsibility to confront these criminals and protect our citizens, and that success requires increased. Dec 01, 2008 the merida initiative is a multiyear program to provide equipment and training to support law enforcement operations and technical assistance for longterm reform and oversight of security agencies. The merida initiative also called plan mexico, in reference to plan colombia is a security cooperation agreement among the united states, the government of mexico, and the countries of central america, with the declared aim of combating the threats of drug trafficking, transnational organized crime, and money laundering. The merida initiative is providing partner nations with. Pdf the demise of the intervention paradigmresilience. Research papergoals to improve the merida initiative. The merida initiative is a security cooperation agreement between the united states and mexico.
As envisioned, the merida initiative is a threeyear program. Today, south america is the lone producer of cocaine for the world. 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. This is a request under the freedom of information act.
Citizens with emergencies, please call 55 8526 2561. To accomplish this task, it crafts distinct, yet complimentary narratives that illustrate how and why the formulation of this policy unfolded. It is important to contextualize the merida initiative. Merida initiative to combat illicit narcotics and reduce.
The merida initiative is too little money, too late. Yet since it began providing funding for security in mexico, problems to do with violence and. Under the merida initiative, the united states has a partnership with the government of mexico to disrupt organized criminal groups, institutionalize reforms to sustain the rule of law and support for human rights, create a 21st century border, and build strong and resilient communities. Merida initiative united states department of state. Economic and social development funds to provide vulnerable populations with alternatives to gangs and crime. Evolution of the merida initiative, 20072019 unt digital. On may 26, the latin america initiative at brookings and the washington office for latin america hosted a discussion on the central american component of the merida initiative, a 3year program. Field work included visits to locations where programs and.
Merida initiative to combat illicit narcotics and reduce organized crime authorization act of 2008. Merida initiative was motivated by the growing concern of the u. The merida initiative and the continuing close partnership it promotes with the governments of mexico, central america, haiti, and the dominican republic recognizes the transnational nature of the challenge we face and provides us with a framework to collaborate with our neighbors to confront the criminal organizations whose activities. These insights are drawn out with reference to the merida initiative, a usmexican security agreement signed in 2007. Prior to fy2008, mexico did not receive large amounts of.
State department reports that mexico has achieved four. Jan 15, 2016 this report begins with a brief discussion of security challenges in mexico and mexicos security strategy. We have 1 merida bike manual available for free pdf download. The report concludes by raising policy issues that congress may wish to consider. The package was called the merida initiative so as to avoid being compared to the controversial plan colombia. Based on principles of common and shared responsibility, mutual trust, and respect for sovereign independence, the two countries efforts. Obamas merida initiative funded mexicos southern wall. The merida initiative also requires the secretary of state to submit a detailed spending plan within 45 days and a strategy with concrete goals and benchmarks for combating drug trafficking and. Claire habel 42920 pax385 research paper ideas to preserve human rights in mexico with the merida initiative the merida initiative is a security initiative between the united states of america and mexico that provides funding for countercrime and counter drug initiatives that was first funded in the 2008 fiscal year. Utilizing historical, archival and empirical evidence, this thesis maps out the manners in which the national. This thesis seeks to explain state behavior and underpinning influences paramount to the political development of the merida initiative. Any annual reports or audits issued by bureau of international narcotics and law enforcement affairs inl on the merida initiative between 2009 and the time this request is processed. The merida initiative an overview in december 2008, mexico and the united states signed the first letter of agreement loa for the merida initiative, opening a chapter of historic cooperation and acknowledging the shared responsibilities of the united states and.
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