U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio raised pressure on the Mexican government by considering the actions undertaken against the drug cartels insufficient and warning that there are broad territories in the country where, according to his assessment, the State does not maintain effective control.
During a visit to Quito, Ecuador, as part of a Latin American tour, Rubio acknowledged that Mexico has done more than in the past to pursue criminal organizations, but argued that the results still do not correspond to the dimension of the threat.
“There are territories, vast territories, in Mexico that are not under state control,” the U.S. official said.
Rubio described Mexico as the main regional cartel challenge due to both the extent of the territory and the power that criminal organizations have acquired. In that context, he claimed that “the head of the serpent” is located in Mexico.
“It’s not far enough”
Although the Secretary of State recognized the operations and actions undertaken by the Mexican government, he considered that they are still insufficient in the capacity of the criminal groups.
There are territories, vast territories in Mexico, that are not governed by the state. They are controlled by these narco-terrorist organizations. pic.twitter.com/udRGZXv0xU
His assessment was tactful: Mexico’s struggle against cartels “is not far enough.”
According to Rubio, the problem transcends drug trafficking and reaches the ability of criminal organizations to challenge government authority.
He mentioned among the threats the murders of candidates, politicians, judges and journalists, as well as the networks used for drug and human trafficking.
He also noted the growing use of technology, including drones, by these organizations, which in his opinion increases the cross-border dimension of the problem.
Washington will act
Rubio said the United States intends to work together with Mexican authorities to tackle the cartels.
However, he left a warning that raises tensions between the two countries: if the threat poses a risk to U.S. security and national interests, Washington will act.
“Our hope and our intention is to do so in partnership with Mexico,” Rubio said, adding that eventually the threat would have to be confronted “in one way or another.”
