RE-EVALUATING THE DRUG WARS

MEXICO CITY - U.S. officials warn that Mexican crime rings are now
conducting kidnappings and assassinations north of the border, a
rising threat to the home front that may affect Obama's choices on how
to manage U.S.-backed offensives in the war on drugs in Latin America.

Since 2000, the Bush administration has spent about $5 billion to help
Colombia take on drug traffickers and the leftist FARC rebels.
Meanwhile, the U.S. Congress recently backed $400 million more in
military equipment and technical aid to a Mexican government facing an
uphill battle against drug trafficking that has claimed about 4,000
lives this year.

The questions Obama must answer: Are these approaches working, should
they be reinforced, or are they throwing good money after bad?

Obama also must address deteriorating relations with a growing pool of
leftist governments skeptical or hostile toward U.S. intentions.
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez says he expects Obama's election to
ease the tensions.