The United States has spent a fraction of the $1.1 billion it promised Mexico between 2008 and 2010 to make “an immediate and important impact” on surging drug cartel violence, according to documents obtained by The Associated Press.
President Barack Obama and Congress pledged strong, continued support to Mexican President Felipe Calderon in Washington this week. But State Department spreadsheets provide the first definitive information about how the United States has — and hasn’t — spent the money pledged by President George W. Bush under the 2007 Merida Initiative.
The records show that in the third year of what was to be a three-year program, Washington is just starting to help Mexico fund its bloody battle.
After bureaucratic tie-ups limited spending to $26 million in two years, cash began to flow this year, with $235 million projected by year end, and at least $331 million expected in 2011.
“The leaders of the Mexican military made the point (that) the house is on fire now,” U.S. Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said after meeting with military counterparts in Mexico.
“Having the firetrucks show up in 2012 is not going to be particularly helpful,” Gates said.
In Washington on Thursday, Calderon asked Congress for “more cooperation” and noted that his own government is sinking $10 billion a year into the battle. The United States has a moral obligation to help more, he said.
In response, Obama pledged to expedite delivery of several helicopters and to try to get the funds moving.
State Department officials, responding to AP’s queries about the spending, said they hope to fund an additional $50 million in training this year.
Obama has agreed to extend Merida at least one more year under a program called “Beyond Merida.”
But it is doubtful top government officials realize how little has been done.
Administration leaders often talk about how the U.S. has sent $1 billion to help Mexico. Calderon told reporters this week: “We have received about $400 million.”
In fact, it’s $161 million.
