08/16/10 – This year, the United States government will provide Mexico with $211 million through the Merida Initiative. The money will be distributed among different agencies in an effort to strengthen the public security by combating criminal organizations.
Of the $211 million, $40 million will be utilized to professionalize police, increase human rights training, and strengthen prison administrations. The money will be distributed between the Public Security Secretariat (Secretaría de Seguridad Pública – SSP), the Attorney General’s Office (Procuraduría General de la República – PGR), Customs Service, and the National Migration Institute. Other items on the budget include $7 million set aside for strengthening special units that combat organized crime; $25 million to enhance the database system and information exchange of the SSP; and $19.5 million intended to improve equipment of law enforcement personnel and command centers.
The three-year initiative was first passed by the U.S. Congress in June of 2008 with an initial $400 million provided to Mexico; another $300 million approved in 2009.
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