Title: WOLA Sees Shortcomings and Questions Priorities in Mérida Plan
By: Washington Office in Latin America (WOLA)
Summary: The U.S. Senate has approved $400 million to help Mexico fight drug-related violence, sending the bill to President Bush for his signature. Known as the Mérida Initiative, the package includes a further $65 million in security aid to be divided among seven countries of Central America plus Haiti and the Dominican Republic. WOLA today applauds the recognition, implicit in the plan, that Mexico and the United States share responsibility for addressing drug trafficking and violence. But WOLA finds serious shortcoming in the plan's specifics.
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