Print
Email
ShareInklings of a ‘Plan Mexico’
The United States and Mexico are negotiating a significant aid package to help Mexico fight its drug war. But a “Plan Mexico” faces many...
Interviewee: Elizabeth Kempshall, Head, Drug Enforcement Administration, Arizona
Interviewer: Stephanie Hanson
December 12, 2007
Mexico is the source of 90 percent of the cocaine consumed in the United States. A new U.S. initiative proposes $1.4 billion to help the Mexican government combat organized crime. Yet there is already some collaboration between law enforcement agencies in the two countries. Elizabeth Kempshall, head of the Drug Enforcement Administration in Arizona, discusses her office's increased efforts to share intelligence with its Mexican counterpart. “We want to take out the entire organization,” she says, not just individual traffickers. She characterizes the relationship between her office and Mexican law enforcement as “much more robust” and says that intelligence sharing is “increasing every day.”
Corruption is endemic in the Mexican police and judiciary, which complicates any cooperation between U.S. and Mexican agencies. The Arizona DEA office works with its Mexico country office to determine who they should share information with, and what they should share. Kempshall declined to discuss the specific details of collaboration, but said that information is being shared in both directions, and called it an “incredible step forward.”
Terms of Use: I understand that I may access this audio and/or video file solely for my personal use. Any other use of the file and its content, including display, distribution, reproduction, or alteration in any form for any purpose, whether commercial, noncommercial, educational, or promotional, is expressly prohibited without the written permission of the copyright owner, the Council on Foreign Relations. For more information, write outreach@cfr.org.
Saudi Arabia on the Edge
A leading Middle East scholar pens this "good introduction to the Saudi paradox of social change and political stability and an invaluable guide to the challenges the country faces." More
American Force
An investigation of the use of American force since the end of the Cold War. More
The Struggle for Egypt
A sweeping account of Egypt in the modern era: what Egypt is, what it stands for, and its relation to the world. More
Saudi Arabia in the New Middle East
Gause posits that, though the Arab Awakening has caused tensions in Saudi-American relations, the two countries do not face a crisis and still have significant mutual interests that should be prioritized.
Partners in Preventive Action
The authors assess the strengths and weaknesses of international institutions and provide a set of practical recommendations for how the United States can strengthen the global architecture for preventive action by partnering with those organizations.
The United States and Mexico are negotiating a significant aid package to help Mexico fight its drug war. But a “Plan Mexico” faces many...
Shannon O'Neil discusses how Mexico and the United States are heading toward a new collaboration in tackling drug violence.
Watch experts discuss U.S.-Mexico relations under the Obama administration, including ways to mitigate drug violence and improve immigration...
Listen to experts discuss U.S.-Mexico relations under the Obama administration, including ways to mitigate drug violence and improve...