By Derek Spellman
dspellman@joplinglobe.com
U.S. Rep. Roy Blunt on Thursday said he saw encouraging signs in Mexico’s war on drugs, citing visits with Mexican officials and their reports that drug-related violence appears to be ebbing.
Blunt was part of a congressional delegation that visited Mexico, Panama and Colombia to discuss regional trade and drug-trafficking problems. Blunt left for the trip April 3 and returned Wednesday.
During a conference call Thursday morning with reporters, Blunt said the Mexican government is “optimistic about the level of attention” that its partnership with the United States has attracted.
In a follow-up phone interview with the Globe, Blunt said Mexican President Felipe Calderon has been central to stronger extradition practices. More than 200 drug criminals have been extradited to the United States in the past two years, which Blunt called a “dramatic” improvement from previous years.
Mexico also has instituted a measure similar to the federal Combat Meth Act, which restricts the sale of cold medicines containing methamphetamine ingredients, Blunt said. Blunt helped promote that legislation.
Meth produced in Mexico has been flowing into the United States, including Missouri, to fill the void left by a decline in domestic supply, law-enforcement officials have said.
On the Mexican side, government efforts have restricted meth in ways that have increased its price.
“Meth prices have probably doubled at all levels of the process,” Blunt said.
The crackdown has triggered a wave of violence, though.
Mexico’s drug-related homicide rate surged to 10,657 killed between December 2006 and March 2009. Ninety percent of the victims are believed to have been involved in the drug trade, while 988 have been policemen. With that violence has come an increase in organized crime, as gangs branch out into kidnappings and extortion.
But Blunt cited reports from the Mexican attorney general, Eduardo Medina-Mora, that the violence might have peaked and is beginning to decline.
Asked about the U.S. role in the Mexican war on drugs, Blunt said the United States should continue its support of the Merida Initiative. The program is a security agreement among the United States, Mexico and Central American countries that entails assistance in training, equipment and intelligence.
“I would be pleased to see those programs be sustained at their current levels” without reductions in funding, Blunt said.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Local News
Blunt says violence in Mexico may have peaked
- Local News
-
-
County commission opens bids on renovating sheriff’s space
Jasper County commissioners said Friday they hope to be ready to make a decision Tuesday on a proposal to renovate a former bank building for use as a new headquarters for the Jasper County Sheriff’s Department.
-
Interfaith service explores different faiths
The interfaith service, scheduled for 2:30 p.m. Sunday in Joplin’s Landreth Park, will explore the theme of “Different Faiths — One Community.’’ The community service is held around the anniversary of the May 22, 2011, tornado, but organizers say the focus is not specifically on the tornado.
-
Duquesne mayor target of lawsuit from council member
Duquesne City Council member Lisa Daugherty recently filed a lawsuit against Mayor Denny White seeking unspecified damages for an investigation that he triggered just before White and Daugherty each ran for mayor.
-
Schifferdecker water park opening delayed week or two
Wet spring weather has delayed work on the Schifferdecker Aquatic Center, and it will not open over Memorial Day weekend, city officials said Friday. No date was given for the expected opening, but it could be delayed one to two weeks, according to Chris Cotten, Joplin parks and recreation director.
-
Foundation announces $10 million milestone
The Community Foundation of Southeast Kansas announced Friday that it has reached the once seemingly impossible amount of $10 million in cash assets. The foundation, which was created for charitable giving in 2001 with matching funds from Kansas Health Foundation, had $545,000 in assets by the end of its first year.
-
Hatred, resentment and retribution fueled bloody encounter at Rader’s Farm
Members of the 1st Kansas Colored Volunteer Infantry regiment had been in Jasper County in large numbers on previous foraging missions. Coming from their outpost in modern-day Baxter Springs, Kan., the armed former slaves in Union uniforms had entered the property and homes of white residents to take their food or other useful supplies.
-
Ceremony to mark push for Civil War memorial
Organizers hope that today’s ceremony marking the 150th anniversary of a Civil War battle northwest of Joplin also will encourage support to finance a permanent memorial on the site.
-
Disaster response team to hold tornado memorial ride
A group of motorcycle enthusiasts who focus on disaster relief plan to hold a motorcycle ride through Joplin on the second anniversary of the May 22, 2011, tornado.
-
Miami plans annual surplus auction
The city of Miami’s annual surplus suction will be held beginning at 10 a.m. today at City Hall.
-
Pancake feed to benefit Scouts
Boy Scout Troop No. 904 will hold a pancake, biscuit and gravy breakfast from 7 to 11 a.m. Saturday at Webb City Elks Lodge, 1010 N. Madison Ave.
- More Local News Headlines
-
County commission opens bids on renovating sheriff’s space
