U.S. ALSO BLAMED FOR MEXICO'S DRUG CRISIS

Cites 'Insatiable' Appetite For Drugs, Gun Smuggling

MEXICO CITY -- An "insatiable'' appetite in the U.S. for illegal drugs
is to blame for much of the violence ripping through Mexico, U.S.
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said yesterday.

Clinton acknowledged the U.S. role in Mexico's drug-cartel problem as
she arrived in Mexico for a two-day visit where she will discuss U.S.
plans to ramp up border security with President Felipe Calderon.

A surge in drug-gang killings to 6,300 last year and fears the
violence could seep over the border has put Mexico's drug war high on
President Barack Obama's agenda, after years of Mexico feeling that
Washington was neglecting a joint problem.

"Our insatiable demand for illegal drugs fuels the drug trade. Our
inability to prevent weapons from being illegally smuggled across the
border to arm these criminals causes the death of police officers,
soldiers and civilians,'' Clinton told reporters. "I feel very
strongly we have a co-responsibility.'' Crushing the drug cartels, who
arm themselves with smuggled U.S. weapons and leave slain rivals,
sometimes beheaded, in public streets, has become the biggest test of
Calderon's presidency as the bloodshed rattles investors and tourists.

Clinton said U.S. efforts to ban drugs and prevent Americans from
trying them had clearly not worked and it was unfair to blame Mexico
for its drug-gang problem.

Meanwhile, Mexican troops yesterday captured one of the country's
most-wanted drug smugglers, Hector Huerta Rios, nicknamed "la burra"
(a female donkey).

Officials said he controlled drugs flowing through the northern city
of Monterrey. He was caught in the city a day after he was included in
a list of 37 most-wanted suspects.

The Mexican government has offered rewards of between $1 million and
$2 million for the drug lords and their lieutenants, including Huerta
Rios.