CUT THE RED TAPE TO HELP MEXICO FIGHT DRUG LORDS

There is a deadly disconnect between the urgency of Mexico's drug war
and the slow pace of U.S. anti-drug aid.

Mexico is seeing a "record-breaking escalation of drug-related
assassinations, kidnappings and other violent crimes," according to a
Government Accountability Office report that says more than 12,000
people have died in drug-related violence in Mexico since 2006.

But a massive U.S. aid package designed to help Mexico defeat the
cartels is trailing red tape and limping badly.

The Merida Initiative dates to a 2007 meeting between President George
W. Bush and Mexican President Felipe CalderA3n. It is a multiyear,
$1.3 billion effort to provide training and crime-fighting equipment.

Mexican drug cartels, which serve much of the U.S. demand for heroin,
methamphetamine, marijuana and cocaine, threaten Mexico's multiparty
democracy in fundamental ways. They sow chaos and civil unrest. No
longer content just to bribe or intimidate public officials, they use
their enormous wealth to buy elections.

If President CalderA3n loses his fight against the cartels, cartel
violence could spread into the United States. U.S. efforts to build on
existing trade, commerce and tourism relationships in Mexico and
Central America would be doomed.

In addition to serving our national interests, the Merida Initiative
was a recognition that U.S. demand for illicit drugs is what keeps the
cartels in business. The United States has an obligation to help
Mexico deal with criminal organizations that have moved beyond assault
weapons and bullet-proof vests to amass arsenals that include rocket
launchers and anti-aircraft guns.

Yet only 2 percent of the $830.42 million that has been obligated
under Merida had been spent as of Sept. 30, according to the GAO
report. The report acknowledged efforts by the Obama administration to
expedite procurement of five helicopters, which are supposed to be
delivered this month.

Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano recently told The Arizona
Republic that things were "getting on track." The State Department's
official response to the GAO was that time had to be spent "laying the
groundwork" for aid.

Meanwhile, the Mexican cartels are expanding into the nations of
Central America, which, along with Haiti and the Dominican Republic,
are supposed to get anti-drug money.

The Merida Initiative was an important commitment. Now, it needs to
become an effective weapon.