Bicentennial Understanding Replaces Merida Initiative for Security Agreement Between US & Mexico

[Judi Lynn]

By Socalj 10/08/2021 07:54:00 PM
"Socalj" for Borderland Beat



Arms, fentanyl, migrants, financial intelligence and the dismantling of criminal networks are part of the agreement between Mexico and the United States.

The government of Andrés Manuel López Obrador redirected its security policy to abandon the Mérida Initiative, which sought a frontal fight against drug cartels, but even with the replacement of that agreement through the Bicentennial Understanding, it must change its strategy to attack insecurity and violence with a more complex approach.

Marcelo Ebrard, Secretary of Foreign Relations, has argued that the Bicentennial Understanding contemplates more actions than just arresting drug lords, due to components in public health or financial networks. However, the specialist in United States-Mexico security relations, Raúl Benítez Manaus, commented in an interview that the agreement is an update of the Merida Initiative.

“The plan has nothing new, it is to reaffirm things that the two governments have already been saying and doing. What is new is the reaffirmation of the political will of the two parties. "This helps a lot to the economic stability of the country because the government is reaffirming its commitment to the United States because companies are always afraid that the president is making half-Bolivarian decisions," the sociologist and researcher at the National University commented in an interview. Autonomous of Mexico (UNAM).

Bicentennial Understanding
As two nations with an enduring relationship based on sovereignty, mutual respect, and the extraordinary bond of family and friendship, Mexico and the United States must and want to face security challenges together. Both countries have suffered the effects of substance addiction, firearm violence, illegal drugs, weapons, human trafficking, and smuggling, as well as organized crime in our communities. To face the complex threats of the 21st century, it is necessary to work in a coordinated manner, with a regional vision and a modern approach to public health and development as part of a comprehensive cooperation strategy between our countries. With full respect for our sovereignties.

Transnational organized crime has claimed too many lives in our countries. For this reason, both countries recognize that we have a responsibility to work together to achieve our shared goals of security and peace. We need to address violence, dismantle transnational criminal organizations, and focus on prevention, in order to create the conditions for a culture of peace, while working hand in hand to address the root causes of crime. We heed the lessons of past efforts and we adapt to new threats. Our vision of security cooperation must expand to protect all of our people, especially the most vulnerable. In addition, We will be emphatic in serving communities that need support to change the conditions that allow crime to take hold. With this framework of cooperation on security matters between Mexico and the United States, we are committed to granting maximum respect for human rights, without tolerance for corruption. We will maintain a holistic view of security and rely on new methods and tools to address this challenge.

More:
https://www.borderlandbeat.com/2021/10/bicentennial-understanding-replaces.html