If Merida doesn't work out ... (or: since Iraq is going so well ...)

The leader of the Minuteman U.S. border security group is proposing that the U.S. deploy its Army to Mexico to deal with criminal drug cartels and rising violence along the border. Speaking to radio stations in Southern California and Oregon, Minuteman Project President Jim Gilchrist suggested that the U.S. give Mexico 12 months to put an end to drug cartels before sending U.S. soldiers to do the job.

Referring to his belief that there is widespread corruption among Mexican politicians and law enforcement officials, Gilchrist said he was skeptical about how money from a proposed U.S. aid plan to battle the cartels would be spent.

The key, he said, was for the U.S. give Mexico an ultimatum. "Either terminate the criminal empires that influence your nation, and threaten to cripple the United States, or risk the incursion of U.S. soldiers to do the job for you," Gilchrist said. "I'm not talking about just any soldiers," Gilchrist added. "I'm talking about some heavyweight U.S. Army airborne brigades."

He added that his comments should not be seen as a proposal to wage war against Mexico or its people, but only against the criminal drug dealers there.

Photo: Minute Man statue at Minute Man National Historic Park, Massachusetts. Credit: U.S. National Park Service

-- Nicole Gaouette in Washington

Comments

[Donald4366]

I believe the U.S. attitude of using a pre-emptive strike has been over used lately. We should, however, deploy our soldiers along our southern border and make a real commitment to U.S. security at home. Illegal border traffic is out of control. Mexican gangs are using ultralight aircraft to carry drugs into the U.S. with nothing to stop them. Illegal aliens are swarming the southern border carrying drugs for the cartels. Put troops on the border and build that fence, two layers. Also, the Predator surveilance drones equipped with pepper bombs are also needed. When the Mexican government fails, only then should we send the troops to Mexico to clean house and re-establish order.

[Marcos El Malo]

What is Jim Gilchrist doing about the smuggling of U.S. weapons into Mexico that is arming the cartels? Nada.

[Rafael Cervera]

I agree with Mr. Gaytan: the problem lies on both sides of the border.

Mexico can just legalize all drugs and be done with this problem. In fact, a couple of years ago, under President Fox, there was an initiative to begin legalization of hard and soft drugs, but the USA jumped so high that the new law was archived pronto.

If Mexico legalizes drugs, then Mr. Gilchrist can spend all his time knocking heads with some heavy duty drug dealers (read armed and dangerous) instead of making life miserable for some poor and hungry Latin peasant whom only wants to do honest work.

[Jesus Gaytan]

Yes... and what about give to the US a 12 months to finish with your drug adiction???

I do not know what this person thinks about our contry, but I think that the problem is about TWO sides, not only one.