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The Administration supports the bipartisan amendment requiring a Presidential
report on U.S.-Mexico counternarcotics efforts. This amendment will facilitate
efforts by the United States and Mexico to continue to achieve results in
combatting the production of and trafficking in illicit drugs.
On February 28, 1997, the President certified that Mexico, among other
countries, has cooperated fully with the United States, or has taken adequate
steps on its own in the fight against narcotics production, trafficking, and
money laundering. The President's decision to certify Mexico's counterdrug
efforts was based on an objective review of Mexico's significant
accomplishments over the past year. President Zedillo has shown the
determination to confront the drug trade head-on and to root out corruption.
In 1996, Mexico passed new counternarcotics legislation and enacted regulations
to combat organized crime, money laundering, and chemical diversion. The
Mexican Government has increased the number of extraditions, improved detection
and monitoring of traffickers transiting Mexico, and is improving its police
force to make corruption less likely. Drug seizures, arrests, destruction of
clandestine labs, and eradication of illegal drug crops increased in 1996 over
1995. The Administration is working closely with Mexico to ensure that this
progress continues.
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