U.S.-Mexico to enter border security pact
By Kevin Buey
Deming Headlight
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WASHINGTON — An announcement is scheduled today in Washington, D.C. , on new areas of bilateral cooperation for increasing security on the Southwest border.
Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano and Mexican Finance Minister Agust n Carstens will announce new assistance to Mexico in fighting drug-related violence in Mexico. The announcement is set for 8:50 a.m. MDT in the press room of the Ronald Reagan Building.
The Obama Administration this month has announced creation of a Homeland Security Advisory Council and a Southwest Border Task Force to address border drug traffic and violence.
Luna County Sheriff Raymond Cobos is on the HSAC.
"The President's counternarcotics strategy will play a critical role in our efforts to stop cross-border drug trafficking and violence," Napolitano said as the two groups were announced. "The plan calls for tougher inspections, more enforcement personnel and close coordination with our partners in Mexico as we work across federal, state and local governments to achieve safety and security in our communities. We will continue to reduce the flow of illegal drugs across the Southwest border and ensure those who ignore our laws are prosecuted."
The new task force will examine the balance of security and facilitation of ports of entry, making recommendations to improve response strategies.
New Mexico Lt. Gov. Diane Denish was at the Santa Teresa Border Patrol Station last Wednesday, meeting with law enforcement and elected officials to discuss developing legislative proposals to improve border safety. "New Mexico's border with Mexico is a crucial transit point for billions of dollars of legitimate economic activity that supports countless families on both sides of the border," Denish said Wednesday. "Unfortunately, however, that border is also a transit point for narcotics being smuggled north, while weapons are smuggled south. The result of this illicit trade is American communities that are awash in drugs and Mexican communities that are wracked by seemingly uncontrollable drug-related violence and killings."
Denish said more is needed to control illegal weapons and drug smuggling and build safer communities on both sides of the border. Denish this summer plans visits to New Mexico ports of entry and border communities for discussions to improve border security and increase border trade.
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