U.S. Blunders and Deceptions

The United States cooperates little with Mexico against organized crime and when they act on their own, they do it poorly. We now know that Operation Fast and Furious, through which the U.S. introduced thousands of weapons to Mexico, was not the first maneuver by its government. A previous undercover illegal affair between 2006 and 2007, Operation Wide Receiver, also allowed the transfer of weapons from Arizona to Mexico.

In both operations, weapons that were supposed to be tracked were “lost,” admits the U.S. Department of Justice. Were it not for Congress’ investigation stemming from the scandal of Operation Fast and Furious, perhaps no one would know that the practice of introducing weapons in secret goes beyond the federal government.

The two illegal operations lay bare on the one hand, reflecting the lack of coordination and professionalism with which the United States’ agencies operate. On the other hand, they expose the irreverence and lack of respect toward Mexico.

This arrogance is unacceptable. Just as intolerable is the empty rhetoric of the country’s conservative groups, such as that of candidate for the Republican presidential nomination Rick Perry, who has promised that, were he to make it to the White House, he would send troops to Mexico to fight crime. Thanks, but no thanks.

Instead of fanciful, erratic and deadly operations — they were to blame for the murders of two agents on both sides of the border — it would be much better if these neighbors to the north explained their achievements in combating money laundering, their success in reducing drug use or progress in controlling the public sale of assault rifles. Surely there will be no progress in any of these areas. If anything, they will list some sporadic arrests, but there is no structural correction of the phenomena.

After many years of failure in its drug policy, the U.S. has been unable to understand that weapons, troops or invasion, on their own, do not work in eliminating organized crime.

In the fight against drugs, Obama announced a paradigm shift last year, one that would favor the prevention and reduction of consumption. We know that the president faces serious problems in implementing his policies and his opposition is becoming increasingly fierce, but in Mexico we continue to hope that this so-called good sense becomes reality. We don’t want more cowboys; we need a serious and responsible partner.