Expanding U.S.-Mexico Economic and Security Cooperation http://beyourownleader.blogspot.com/2011/03/expanding-us-mexico-economic-and.html

In her article US-Mexico Relations Back on Track–In the Wrong Direction Laura Carlsen, director of the Americas Policy Program described how, “The binational relationship suffered some serious blows in the weeks preceding Calderon’s Washington visit. The release of thousands of Wikileaks cables between the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City and the State Department revealed U.S. officials’ deep concerns regarding the Mexican government’s capacity to carry out its high-risk war on drug cartels.”

She added, “Tensions also followed the assassination of Jaime Zapata, a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent in San Luis Potosí on Feb. 15. Although the Mexican government has arrested the alleged attackers–members of the Zetas drug cartel–the incident highlighted the risks of the drug war cooperation and the power of the cartels.” In the aftermath of their bilateral meeting Carlsen acknowledged, “Despite talk of a deteriorating relationship, in fact the Calderon and Obama administrations are overseeing the birth of historically unprecedented cooperation between the two nations.”