I just received the following email today that the Congressional Subcommittee on National Security will be examining the US role is fueling organized crime in Mexico. This long overdue, as I wrote about the seriousness of the issue back in May. Our previous Mexico blogger, Rohini Gupta, first wrote about the issue in July 2007. If you’re in Washington, I would highly recommend attending this hearing. If not, I believe you can view it online at C-SPAN.
***Media Advisory***
NATIONAL SECURITY SUBCOMMITTEE HEARING
“Money, Guns, and Drugs: Are U.S. Inputs Fueling Violence on the U.S.-Mexico Border?”
WASHINGTON, DC — On Thursday, March 12, 2009, the Subcommittee on National Security and Foreign Affairs will conduct an oversight hearing on whether U.S. money, guns, drug consumption, and drug precursors are fueling violence on the U.S.-Mexico border. Members will also explore the threats this violence poses to U.S. national security interests. To view the Subcommittee’s prior work, please visit: http://nationalsecurity.oversight.house.gov/ .
This hearing will feature top independent experts with extensive experience in Mexico and with border issues. While the U.S. is currently engaged in initiatives with Mexico aimed at strengthening existing law enforcement cooperation, intelligence sharing, and training (e.g., the Mérida Initiative), this hearing asks the related question of what more the U.S. can do on our side of the border to help stop the increasing border violence.
WITNESS LIST:
• Andrew Selee, Director, Woodrow Wilson Center Mexico Institute, which published the January 2009 report “The United States and Mexico: Towards a Strategic Partnership;”
• Michael A. Braun, Managing Partner, Spectre Group International LLC, and former Drug Enforcement Administration Assistant Administrator / Chief of Operations; and
• Tom Diaz, Senior Policy Analyst, Violence Policy Center, and author of “Making a Killing: the Business of Guns in America.”
WHERE: 2154 Rayburn House Office Building
WHEN: 10 a.m. EST on Thursday, March 12, 2009
FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:
March 10, 2009 Catherine McKenna Ribeiro (Tierney): (202) 225-8020
Cell: (202) 641-1387
