Mexico's Calderon not so happy with U.S. drug war cooperation

 

 

In unusually candid comments, Mexican President Felipe Calderon has criticized U.S. agencies for failing to do their part in the fight against powerful drug cartels.

Calderon said that while Presidents Bush and Obama have been cooperative, the "institutional cooperation" has been "notoriously insufficient."

He said the U.S., which is sending $1.4 billion in training, equipment and other drug war aid, had failed to curb drug consumption or the flow of weapons into Mexico. 

The comments came in an extensive interview with the Mexican daily newspaper El Universal, published Tuesday. Here's the complete interview in Spanish, along with various video and audio components.

Calderon, who enjoys pretty consistent public support from Washington, said recent revelations from highly critical leaked diplomatic cables have hurt and distorted the relationship. He said U.S. diplomats "pour lots of cream on their tacos," an expression meaning they tend to exaggerate.  

"They always want to raise their own agendas before their bosses, and they've done a lot of damage with the stories they tell," Calderon said.

 

-- Tracy Wilkinson in Mexico City

Photo: Felipe Calderon. Credit: El Universal

 

 

 

Comments

[Mc]

President Calderon needs to declare war on the narcos officially! Allow the population arms to fight back! Let the men if Mexico defend themselves and their families!

[George H.W. Bush]

Why do we keep insisting on legislating the appetite's of other people. If people want to do heroin, just let them. I don't think legalizing heroin will lead to more people doing the drug. If you do heroin you are dumb, but you're also reckless. I seriously doubt people choose to not do heroin because it is illegal.

America funds every enemy of "freedom" in the world. Our dependence on foreign oil, coupled with our drug policies have lead us to a point where we directly fund every single enemy we have. Currently in Afghanistan U.S. troops are providing security for poppy fields, from which the Taliban profits. Additionally 90% of the guns used in the drug war in Mexico are bought in southern U.S. states and smuggled across the border. Furthermore Americans provide the largest drug market for Mexican drugs.

Drugs are so lucrative because of their illegality. Legalize drugs and tighten up gun laws in the southern states and watch the cartels crumble.

[smoon]

Obviously, our nobama president has done little to help Mexico with the drug wars. Nobama refused to listen to Hillary Clinton. Nobama refuses to address the issue when many innocent Americans and hispanics die in vain - they simply were at the wrong place at the wrong time.

Nobama would rather sue his own state governors than address the drug issue, the large tunnels under the border between Mexico and the US.

Nobama paints everyone the same way. He thinks that if he goes after drug gangs he will attack every hispanic in the United States and Mexico.

Well, Mr. President, most hispanics do not like the thug like manners of the drug cartel either. They want simple and happy family life - just like most people do.

Wake up and protect all - by being hard on drugs. You can still at the same time be pro hispanic.

[Archie Herandez]

President Calderon, I did'nt know that you are an alcoholic. Wow, that kinda could change my perception on the situation. Geez, too bad! When you go a visit with our President Obama are you going to be crudo?

[Archie Herandez]

I am a US Citizen and have been following all these problems that Mexico has been experiencing with the cartel. As a American I feel we should use the money we are seizing to help fight the war on drugs within Mexico. Come on US what are we doing with this money. Let's help Calderon with his country. This makes me mad and disappointed to know that the US is not doing their part!! Caldaron you and your country are in my prayers.!!

[Stephen]

Calderon doesn't know when to quit. He wants the US to give his citizens jobs, healthcare, housing, and an education. Calderon also isn't satisfied with 1.4 billion in aid for the fight against the cartels, or the 25 billion in remittances annually from Mexican nationals living in the US. He isn't happy with the Border Patrol inspecting traffic coming and going across the border either. Just exactly what is the Mexican government good for? Oh yeah, it's excellent at being one of the most corrupt governments on earth. Hey Calderon, take care of your own country and your own people. The free ride is over, we're broke! No mas dinero, amigo!

[B. Cervantes]

Calderon is blaming the United States for his failure to control his Narco-Country. The US is not doing enough? Wow, so he wants the Obama Administration to run Mexico as well. He blames the US for consumption and weapons. Is it the the United States fault that many undocumented individuals cross the border to buy weapons and take them back to the Narco's. The bottom line is Calderon you can't control your country. Your military is corrupt, your police forces are corrupt, and you are corrupt. El Chapo Guzman runs you and your country. You capture all low level cartel leaders except high valued targets like Guzman. I think want Calderon wants is for the US military to invade that B**** and do his work for him. Good luck!!!!!

[john]

Well i guess he won't be invited back to the White House for beer and pretzels in the Rose Garden!

[sal carrillo]

Why is our government of Mexico allowing officers from a foreign country to operate in our national territory in the first place? The homeland is not for sale, and we as citizens of this great country totally reject any outsiders sticking their noses in our business. Those officers that got killed knew the risks of operating in hostile territory. How would the people of the United States feel if Mexican military officers were operating in their country? Wouldn't it be violating your national soverengty? I believe it would. Isn't the U.S the biggest consumer of illegal drugs in the world? And what's being done on your side of the border to stop the great demand of illegal drugs from coming into your country? Obviously not enough.

[BAZ987]

We've also failed to stem the flow of illegal immigrants(many from Mexico) across the Mexican border. I don't hear him complaining about that! Nor do I see Mexico doing enough to deter their citizens from illegally entering the U.S. or halting the flow of immigrants from Central America through his country!

[RWh]

So the billions we spend on the "war on drugs" doesn't count in our attempt to stem the flow of drugs into this country..drugs that also come from Mexico. Just who exactly is buying the weapons and transporting them to Mexico...Mexican citizens or ex-patriots, that's who. Clean up your own house before asking us to do it.

[gregdn]

Here are Calderon's comments tranlated:
"Send more money"

[St Joseph]

As one who spent four decades in the drug wars trenches, I was of the opinion that President Calderon was shifting his military and national law enforcement into an ethical field.

With current news reports of his excessive alcoholic beverage consumption, lack of military control, and perception of US blunders. I am not as convinced.

Yes, the problem lies with U.S. consumption from a 'feel good' psych oriented society.. Also the misinterpreted 2nd Amendment and Arizona lack of laws contributing to massive assault rifles sold from gun shops unreported and undetected, landing in Mexico. These are all contributors.

But, what Calderon knows is a reality; America cannot assist with the war in Mexico unless he allows them armed, and requests the U.S. to stage a warfare site at each established drug manufacture, distribution site, and farm storing the contraband. Then assisting in currency tracking. This will win this war!

[EstebanCardenas]

The translation of "pour lots of cream on their tacos" is not quite correct. It rather means to pretentiously enhance one's image based on exaggerated or false grounds.