Greetings from Mexico City! One of the biggest perks of covering the Defense Department is an invitation to travel around the world with the Secretary of Defense, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and other top Pentagon leaders. So I try to never pass up an opportunity. Last week, I was invited to cover Secretary of Defense Robert Gates’ trip to Mexico City, and I accepted immediately.
A few minutes after I did, I wondered: Why exactly is Gates traveling to Mexico City?
After all, Mexico is our ally. In addition, Mexico has no troops stationed in Iraq or Afghanistan, and the U.S. has no troop presence here. Sending troops here is not even an option. Mexico still abhors the idea, even to help address modern problems like drug trafficking and other major crimes. To Mexicans, the last U.S. troops here were occupiers.
Moreover, most issues relating to Mexico are outside the Defense Department’s lane, as Pentagon officials often put it. Gates is only the second Defense secretary to make such a trip; the first one, William Perry, was here 12 years ago. It falls to the State Department, DEA, and Homeland Security to chiefly deal with Mexico.
I never did find out why Gates was headed here as I boarded the plane this morning. But I figured for a few days anyway, I would not write about Iraq.
As it turns out, Gates is here to build up U.S./Mexican relations, which are marred because of Iraq. Mexico, and much of Latin America, feels U.S. attention and resources have been deflected by the war. It is not something the U.S. can ignore. Not only does it share a border with Mexico, but gets roughly 8 percent of its oil from here. Lately, the U.S. has taken notice of the rumblings.
Last year, the U.S., Mexico and parts of Central America created a $550 million security agreement called the Merida Initiative, which the U.S. Congress is currently considering. It calls for money for new police equipment and for Mexican soldiers to train in the U.S. But the secretary likely will not promise Mexico anything new to address its crime and drug problems without Congressional approval.
So Gates comes here chiefly as a diplomat armed with a simple message: “We haven’t forgotten about you.”
I would think that most Mexicans would be greatly relieved if the US military did forget about them. We can only hope for the day when the Secretary of Defense will actually concern himself with the defense of our nation rather than meddling in the affairs of other nations.
Posted by: Charles D | April 29, 2008 at 10:35 PM
@Democracy Lover
Um...let's see...when the nation the SecDef is visiting borders on the continental US and is also presently embroiled in a couple of issues (drug trafficking, human smuggling / illegal immigration) that directly impact national security then he's probably doing his job by, you know, showing up in person to talk to people in the Mexican government.
Posted by: randomguy | April 30, 2008 at 10:08 AM
Given that we may be about to attack Iran, he is probably going to talk to them about boosting production above that 8%. When Iran shuts down the Strait of Hormuz, we may have a few little inconveniences as a result.
Posted by: 2LaneIA | April 30, 2008 at 04:31 PM
Ahh, the people there are angry at the US for not giving them more money. Of course.
Posted by: JGuy | April 30, 2008 at 06:19 PM
We should look at asking the Mexican Govt to provide troops to the conflicts in Iraq/Afghanistan in return for financial and economic aid. The Mexican soldier in combat is, when WELL LED, hardy and tough. I believe the benefits to Mexico, in the long run would be myriad in terms of increased national identity, pride, strength and whos to say, some of those returning home would make better and honorable leaders at all levels of their govt.
Posted by: JRosendo | April 30, 2008 at 06:58 PM
Or, could it have to do with that soldier who is being held by the Mexican police who cross the border armed to the teeth?
"CIUDAD JUAREZ, Mexico (AP) — A U.S. soldier has been arrested in Mexico and ordered to stand trial after he was caught entering the country with a pistol, a rifle and ammunition."
http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5iq_-ChCXAt591iQLcik0tBWem4RwD909U34G0
Posted by: Tom Traubert | April 30, 2008 at 09:50 PM