Mexico needs U.S. help to crush drug gangs

By Catherine Bremer

REUTERS

11:49 a.m. December 10, 2007

MEXICO CITY – Mexico's year-old war on drug trafficking has weakened key cartels but it cannot crush them unless Washington cuts off their illegal supply of arms, cash and chemicals, Mexico's attorney general said Monday.

A crackdown by 25,000 soldiers and police has put hundreds of smugglers behind bars and extradited dozens to the United States. But drug-related murders continue unabated and are set to top 2,500 this year, up from 2,100 in 2006, officials say.

“We are doing everything we can to stop drugs crossing to the United States but given this is a transnational business by definition it requires the United States do its part and that essentially means the flow of arms to Mexico,” said Attorney General Eduardo Medina Mora.

Mexico is still awaiting a delivery date for $1.4 billion of drug-fighting equipment pledged by the United States, amid signs U.S. lawmakers may try to attach conditions to the aid.