An article was published in the New York Times today titled, Hand of U.S. is Seen in Halting General's Rise in Mexico. This article starts on the basis of the U.S. stepping in to prevent General Moises Garcia Ochoa from becoming the Minister of Defense in Mexico, as nominated by Mexico's new president, Enrique Pena Nieto. The article goes on to talk about why or why not the general should be promoted. The part that is most interesting to me is that Senator Patrick J. Leahy, a Democrat from Vermont, is withholding $230 million dollar, under the Merida initiative, from Mexico because of fears of the general and his possible future within the cabinet of President Nieto.
When it comes down to it, the article is pointing out how the U.S. flexes its power of involvement when it can. This makes sense, because under the Merida initiative, the U.S. government is providing Mexico with so much funding to "fight organized crime and associated violence, while furthering respect for human rights and the rule of law" (Source: U.S. State Dept.). This whole initiative is based on "mutual respect" between the two countries, something that seems to exist as President Nieto chose not to appoint General Ochoa as the Minister of Defense after meeting with U.S. officials, including the U.S. ambassador to Mexico. Whether or not that was the deal breaker is debatable as the job went to one of the Presidents close friend instead, the NYT reported. I think that it is very smart of President Nieto to pursue positive relations with the U.S., especially under this Merida initiative. Though I have the feeling that the President feels a little bit like a puppet, as some Senator from some state far away from the border is choosing to personally withhold $230 million dollars because of the issue with the general. It is also interesting to see that President Nieto has been so hush on the issue of the drug 'war' and violence relating to drugs. From our side of the border, those issues are most frequently what issues we see as important in Mexico. But maybe it's refreshing to know that outside our little american bubbles that Mexico is a nation that is looking forward, as the President has addressed education, fiscal and energy reforms. This is a far difference from former president Felipe Calderon would flaunt captured drug lords as a means to intimidate the drug cartels. It will be interesting to see how the situation unfolds during President Neito's next six years.
