New Steps in Combating Mexican Drug Trafficking Organizations
The U.S. government continues to face a momentous, transnational threat: Mexican drug trafficking organizations (MDTOs). Mexico’s capacity to combat MDTOs, coupled with the U.S. adeptness to assist in that vein, will have significant implications for both countries and beyond and security overall.
In terms of strategic importance, Mexico is a principal trade and investment partner of the United States, with the nations sharing a 2,000-mile border. Intra-, inter-MDTO violence and the MDTO-Mexican government conflict undermine Mexico’s role as a key U.S. economic and regional security partner while, simultaneously, devastating Mexican stability. The nearly 43,000 drug-connected deaths occurring since President Calderon came to power in December 2006 are, at minimum, harbingers of the growing fragility in Mexico.