Ambassador Pascual Lauds Commitment of the Calderon Administration to Fight Drug Trafficking

Mexico City | December 17, 2009

“Today’s announcement of highly successful operations by Mexican military units against the Beltran Leyva Organization leaves no doubt that President Calderon’s strategy against organized crime is having a strong impact. Last evening's successful operation demonstrates Mexico’s determination and increasing capacity to debilitate the drug cartels that threaten the safety and well-being of its citizens.

“Arturo Beltran Leyva was one of the most notorious drug kingpins in Mexico. He had been a leader of the Sinaloa Cartel before breaking off to form his own ‘Beltran Leyva Organization.’ He also had major connections to ‘Los Zetas.’ Beltran Leyva was responsible for some of the most heinous acts of violence in Mexico’s recent history. And he ran major importation and distribution networks that put literally tons of cocaine on American streets.

“The U.S. government lauds this, and other actions of the Calderon administration in the fight against drugs and organized crime, and stands by its commitment of full cooperation in this struggle against a common enemy that threatens the security of people in both our nations.

“We congratulate the Calderon administration and the brave members of its military forces on this successful and highly significant operation. The close cooperation between the U.S. and Mexico under the Merida Initiative clearly is having a positive and noticeable impact in disrupting the drug cartels. The United States stands by its commitment of full cooperation and shared responsibility in this struggle against a common enemy that threatens the security of people in both our nations.”