MEXICO IS SUCCEEDING IN ITS WAR ON DRUGS

Recently, syndicated columnist Maria Elena Salinas blamed Mexican President
Felipe Calderon's administration for the increased violence along our border
and asserted that the government must rethink its strategy in its war
against the drug trade ("Mexico losing fight against drug violence," Oct.
14).

I couldn't disagree more. Violence has increased in Mexico, yes. Under
the Calderon administration, a greater number of violent drug
traffickers have been arrested and extradited to the United States to
stand trial than during all previous administrations combined.

An unfortunate byproduct when a top-level druglord is killed or
captured is the resulting battle for control of his drug routes into
the United States. The fact that the vast majority of killings occur
among members of warring factions is little consolation, especially
when they occur in public places.

Nevertheless, most professionals understand that the increase in
violence in Mexico is a sign that Calderon's policies are working, not
failing. As the first Mexican president to take on the cartels since
the arrival of the drug trade 30 years ago, Calderon's get-tough
approach has already resulted in the dismantling of some of Mexico's
largest criminal organizations.

To a large extent the increase in arrests and drug seizures are the
result of close cooperation between U.S. and Mexican law enforcement.
When Javier Arellano-Felix of the violent Tijuana Cartel was captured
recently, it required Mexican intelligence operatives working with
U.S. law enforcement to make it happen.

When U.S. and Mexican officials achieved the largest seizure of drug
money in the Western Hemisphere - more than $200 million - it was due
to cross-border law-enforcement cooperation and coordination. Other
recent successes include the arrest of methamphetamine kingpin Ye Gon
in Mexico City and the largest cocaine seizure in maritime history, 20
metric tons with a street value of more than $500 million. The
financial loss to a trafficker from a drug or cash seizure may result
in death sentences for those the drug trafficker deems responsible,
resulting in more violence.

Is that any reason to change course? As a sign of its commitment to
help fight this war, Congress recently approved President Bush's
Merida Initiative, a $1.3 billion counterdrug aid package.

This three-year program will support U.S. and Mexican law enforcement
with advanced technology and structural improvements designed to bring
to Mexico's drug war some of the techniques we learned fighting
organized crime in the United States and the insurgency in Iraq. It is
an unfortunate byproduct of Mexico's anti-drug efforts that violence
is up. As Mexico gets nearer to victory in its war on drug
trafficking, we will see the security of our Southwest border improve.
Success will not come overnight, however, and Calderon has to continue
to show progress or he will lose the support of the Mexican people.

The measures he has taken thus far - with our help - give me
confidence that he will succeed.