A new shift in U.S.-Mexico security cooperation that focuses on border surveillance and the underpinnings of drug violence is a good long-term approach, but will require patience on both sides, says CFR Latin America expert Shannon O'Neil.

Listen to CFR's Shannon K. O'Neil discuss the challenges of ongoing drug violence in Mexico as part of CFR's State and Local Officials Conference Call series.

Learn more about CFR's State and Local Officials Initiative.

In Ciudad Juarez, where three people with connections to the U.S. consulate were killed over the weekend, it's local gangs rather than drug cartels that are spreading violence, says CFR's Shannon O'Neil. To fight them, part of what's needed is better law and police enforcement and better education.

In Mexico's dysfunctional legal system, an arrest most often leads to a conviction. Exposing both that corruption and a glimpse of hope, David  Luhnow follows the story of one street vendor--wrongly convicted of murder--who won his freedom thanks to an unconventional approach by two determined lawyers.

Edward Alden, CFR senior fellow and director of U.S. Immigration Policy, a CFR-Sponsored Independent Task Force Report, discusses immigration policy online with Politico readers.

John Bellinger argues that complying with the Vienna convention, "protects Americans abroad and confirms this country's commitment to international law."

Hysteria over bloodshed in Mexico clouds the real challenge: the rising violence is a product of democratization -- and the only real solution is to continue strengthening Mexican democracy.

CFR's Shannon O'Neil discusses the challenges Mexico faces in combatting drug cartels. Improving the security situation, she argues, depends on strengthening Mexico's democratic institutions.

The Guatemalan president's alleged role in a recent murder there shows how Mexico's drug violence is infecting other parts of Latin America--and threatening to destabilize the entire region.

Swine flu has already shaken markets. While the scope of the current outbreak remains unknown, experts say a severe pandemic could drive productivity losses, dampen trade, and lower product demand at a time of preexisting economic frailty.

David Dobbs examines why the swine flu seems to be more deadly in Mexico.

Despite the unknowns about the swine flu outbreak, policymakers need to keep a steady flow of information and prevent a panicked global response, says Michael Osterholm, a leading public health expert.

Joe Contreras, former Latin America bureau chief for Newsweek, says while Mexico and the United States step up engagement on battling drug traffickers, another priority--immigration reform--is unlikely to get top U.S. attention.

This three-part timeline looks at the history of U.S.-Mexico relations from Mexican independence to present.

Susana Seijas chronicles the Mexican government's history with certain notorious narcotics traffickers.