U.S. SHOULD CONSIDER MEXICO'S CALL FOR HELP

One of the biggest hurdles in Mexico's efforts to fight illegal drug
traffic is the rampant corruption in law enforcement agencies and the military.

Just recently, a brigadier general, a captain and a lieutenant in the
Mexican army were arrested for allegedly being on the payroll of the
powerful Gulf Cartel based in Tamaulipas, a state sharing a 200-mile border
with Texas.

And three months ago, dozens of police officers were jailed for helping
Joaquin Guzman, a notorious drug baron nicknamed "El Chapo," escape from a
high-security prison.

For that reason, the United States should welcome Mexico's unprecedented
call for help. The Mexican government has asked for U.S. law enforcement
officials' help in conducting security checks on their Mexican counterparts
and to share drug-related intelligence — something unthinkable in the past.

During the 71 years that the Institutional Revolutionary Party, or PRI,
ruled the nation, Mexico often shrugged at suggestions of corruption in
police ranks.

But since last year, when Vicente Fox and his National Action Party, or
PAN, ended the PRI's grip power, that has changed.

The details of Mexico's proposal still must be clarified and accepted by
the Bush administration, and no one should assume this would end corruption
in Mexico.

The deeply-rooted practice will take some time to change. Drug money is
very tempting for many police officers because, with few exceptions, their
government salary is no more than $400 a month.

Also, often law enforcement officials and military commanders see little
choice when approached by the drug cartels. If they refuse to cooperate,
they are killed or a close family member is hurt.

The threat of plata o plomo, which literally means silver or lead but
figuratively means accepting a bribe or getting shot, can corrupt the most
honest officer in Mexico.