Trump threatens Mexico with anti-drug certification. 09-28-2020

Sep 28, 2020 admin Interviews, Podcast 0

After Trump warned against measures against Mexico if it does not strengthen its fight against drug trafficking, Mexico’s Foreign Relations Minister reversed that the illegal and massive transfer of weapons that is registered from north to south must also be addressed.

Donald Trump threatens Mexico… Again.

The US President, Donald Trump gave the Mexican authorities a period of 12 months to increase their efforts in the fight against the drug cartels.

He warned that, if he does not see any improvement in the fight against drug trafficking, he will withdraw the anti-drug certification, a measure that dates back to 1986, which would imply withholding financial aid and blocking loans from multilateral organizations.

Trump specifically calls for Mexico to do more to eradicate poppy crops, seize drugs, open criminal cases and seize assets from drug traffickers, in addition to having «a comprehensive drug control strategy.»

In response, the Ministry of Foreign Relations (SRE) recalled that United States legislation has no legal effects in our country.

After endorsing the Mexican government’s commitment to the fight against drugs, he recalled that it is a regional problem that must be addressed under bilateral and multilateral collaboration frameworks.

The Foreign Ministry stressed that drug trafficking and its violence are fueled by high levels of consumption, in addition to the fact that another issue that demands attention is the illegal transfer of weapons that occurs on a massive scale from north to south.

Another threat from Trump, now for drugs; includes Mexico among 22 countries to evaluate

The US president gives a period of 12 months to increase efforts in the fight against cartels.

The US President included Mexico in the list of the 22 countries – mostly Latin American and Caribbean, which includes Venezuela and Bolivia – with the highest production or trafficking of illegal drugs, in a memorandum sent to the Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, released by the White House Thursday night.

Trump wrote in the document that the government of Andrés Manuel López Obrador needs to increase its efforts to eradicate poppy crops, seize drugs, open criminal cases and seize assets from drug traffickers. He also demanded a «comprehensive drug control strategy.»

«Without further progress in the next year, I will assess the determination that Mexico has evidently failed to meet its international anti-drug commitments,» he said.

If Trump determines that, in one year, Mexico’s efforts are not enough, the United States could withdraw the «certification» – a measure of the last century – which would imply withholding financial aid and blocking loans from multilateral organizations.

“Specifically, Mexico’s full cooperation is essential to reduce heroin production and combat the illegal production of fentanyl and all forms of drug trafficking, including through US ports of entry.

«Without further progress in the next year, I will consider determining that Mexico has demonstrably failed to meet its international anti-drug commitments,» he warned.

Trump ordered Pompeo to take the memorandum to Congress so they can take it into account when assigning international cooperation programs.

In early June, Trump threatened Mexico with imposing progressive tariffs if it did not improve its immigration filters.

The list of countries also includes Afghanistan, Bahamas, Belize, Burma, Bolivia, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, India, Jamaica, Laos, Mexico, Nicaragua, Pakistan, Panama, Peru and Venezuela.

«CERTIFICATION»
In the US strategy to fight drug trafficking, the certification allowed the United States to impose sanctions on those countries involved in drug production and trafficking.

The certification occurred from 1986 to the end of 2001, when the United States, based on the Foreign Aid Act, certified countries that cooperated in the fight against cartels, according to the criteria of the current president of the United States.

In 2002, due to international pressure, including that of Mexico, the US changed the unilateral guarantee process for bilateral and multilateral cooperation agreements.