Violent and murderous drug cartels are "undermining the Mexican state,” according to U.S. Representative Connie Mack (R-FL), chairman of the House Foreign Affairs subcommittee for the Western Hemisphere.
Mack stated during the subcommittee hearing what most Americans already know, but it didn't stop vitriolic criticism of the lawmaker by officials in Mexico.
Mexican politicians and media commentators were also outraged over Rep. Mack’s assertion that the Merida Initiative, which began during the Bush Administration, has been a waste of upwards of $1.5 billion in U.S. aid.
The Merida Initiative, a treaty between the United States and Mexico signed in 2008, is designed specifically to fight Mexican drug gangs. It highlights the U.S. providing military equipment to Mexico, as well as counternarcotics training for Mexican police officers and military officials assigned to fighting the heavily armed and ruthless drug cartels.
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