El programa de cooperación antinarco entre los gobiernos de México y Estados Unidos, llamado ahora Iniciativa Mérida, no contempla la participación de empresas de seguridad privada o asesores particulares estadunidenses. Tampoco se ha planteado la presencia de tropas o la participación operativa de agentes o empresas del vecino país en las acciones que se emprendan para combatir el crimen organizado en territorio nacional, aseguró la secretaria de Relaciones Exteriores, Patricia Espinosa Cantellano.
En conferencia de prensa donde la funcionaria intentó explicar algunos puntos de la oficialmente llamada Iniciativa Mérida, la canciller informó que el monto y distribución definitiva de los primeros 500 millones de dólares que el presidente de Estados Unidos, George W. Bush, solicitó a su Congreso para ayudar a México en la lucha contra el narco –de un paquete multianual de mil 400 millones de dólares– se conocerán hasta que los legisladores de ese país aprueben dicho plan.
Blackwater's run for the border
The notorious security contractor has plans for a military-style complex near the U.S.-Mexico border. Critics worry the firm's "mercenary soldiers" could join the U.S. Border Patrol.
There are signs that Blackwater USA, the private security firm that came under intense scrutiny after its employees killed 17 civilians in Iraq in September, is positioning itself for direct involvement in U.S. border security. The company is poised to construct a major new training facility in California, just eight miles from the U.S.-Mexico border. While contracts for U.S. war efforts overseas may no longer be a growth industry for the company, Blackwater executives have lobbied the U.S. government since at least 2005 to help train and even deploy manpower for patrolling America's borders.
Blackwater is planning to build an 824-acre military-style training complex in Potrero, Calif., a rural hamlet 45 miles east of San Diego. The company's proposal, which was approved last December by the Potrero Community Planning Group and has drawn protest from within the Potrero community, will turn a former chicken ranch into "Blackwater West," the company's second-largest facility in the country. It will include a multitude of weapons firing ranges, a tactical driving track, a helipad, a 33,000-square-foot urban simulation training area, an armory for storing guns and ammunition, and dorms and classrooms. And it will be located in the heart one of the most active regions in the United States for illegal border crossings.
Contractors may train Mexican drug forces
WASHINGTON — The U.S. and Mexican governments are expected Monday to announce an anti-drug package that will probably involve hiring private U.S. military contractors to train Mexican troops on the use of new technologies and equipment, senior U.S. officials said.The government's use of private contractors has been controversial, especially since a deadly incident involving contractors last month in Iraq.
The counternarcotics plan calls for increasing U.S. anti-drug aid to Mexico, now estimated at $44 million a year, to $1.4 billion over two to three years, said officials speaking on the condition of anonymity. It is expected to be announced simultaneously by President Bush in Washington and President Felipe Calderón in Mexico City. It will cap seven months of talks carried out in response to spreading drug violence, considered by many the biggest threat to Mexican security.
No hay comentarios.:
Publicar un comentario