Outgoing U.S. ambassador to Mexico lashes out on drug war

The Dallas Morning News spent some time with outgoing U.S. Ambassador to Mexico, Tony Garza, this week following comments that he made last week in Texas over the United States' responsibility in Mexico's battle against its illegal drug cartels:

Mr. Garza, a second-generation Mexican-American and Brownsville native, arrived in Mexico in 2002 after his friend President Bush appointed him to head one of the largest U.S. embassies in the world. In an interview over steak tacos at a modest restaurant near the U.S. Embassy, Mr. Garza talked about his tenure as ambassador, his future, and the challenges ahead in the land of his grandparents.

Failing to win U.S. congressional approval for comprehensive immigration reform and the debate over a controversial border fence remain concerns, Mr. Garza said.

"You're not really addressing the question of border security if all you are talking about is building walls," he said. "You have to look at comprehensive immigration reform, the Mérida Initiative, trade and, yes, smart barriers."      

Analysts say Mr. Garza's access to the White House helped put Mexico on the radar when U.S. foreign policy was focused on Iraq and Afghanistan.

Read the rest of "Outgoing U.S. ambassador to Mexico lashes out on drug war" here.

-- Deborah Bonello in Mexico City