| | |  Americas & Beyond 
Obama Pledges to Help Mexico Fight Drug Cartels
 Caren Bohan - Reuters
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March 23, 2010
| | A member of the Mexican Army keeps guard near the site of a recent murder on March 19, 2010 in Juarez, Mexico. The border city of Juarez has been racked by violent drug-related crime, making it among the most dangerous cities in the world. (AFP/Spencer Platt) | |
Washington – On the eve of a high-level meeting to discuss the fight against Mexico's powerful drug cartels, President Barack Obama called Mexican President Felipe Calderon on Monday and underscored the U.S. pledge to help.
The two leaders spoke of a "mutual desire to work together for the benefit of the safety and security of citizens on both sides of our shared border," White House National Security Council spokesman Mike Hammer said.
"The president highlighted the importance he places on fulfilling our responsibility in the effort against Mexican drug trafficking organizations, as well as our sustained commitment to support Mexico's efforts," Hammer said.
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will lead a top-level delegation to Mexico on Tuesday to discuss cooperation against the drug trade, 10 days after three people linked to a U.S. consulate were killed in a border city.
Defense Secretary Robert Gates, Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano and Director of National Intelligence Dennis Blair will also be part of the delegation.
They will be meeting to discuss the U.S. Merida Initiative, a 2007 plan to give Mexico $1.4 billion to help fight the drug cartels.
Two Americans and one Mexican linked to the U.S. consulate in Ciudad Juarez were killed on March 14. The killings were part of a surge in drug-related violence along the border.
(Editing by Stacey Joyce)
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