Mexico criticizes U.S. for not nabbing drug lords

April 8, 1998
Web posted at: 12:42 a.m. EDT (0442 GMT)

MEXICO CITY (CNN) -- U.S. politicians have long called on Mexico to do more to catch drug traffickers, but the tables were turned Tuesday when Mexico's top anti-drug officials criticized their U.S. counterparts for failing to capture Mexican cocaine lords they say regularly visit the United States.

Although White House drug policy director Gen. Barry McCaffrey bent over backward to praise Mexico's progress in the drug wars during a two-day visit that ended Tuesday, he took criticism from his hosts.

"We are not very satisfied with the effort the United States has carried out, just as they are not satisfied with our efforts," Attorney General Jorge Madrazo told a news conference.

Madrazo said the United States could be doing more to capture the Arellano Felix brothers, who are Mexico's most wanted drug kingpins. He said the brothers are probably hiding in the United States.

Americans spend $50 billion a year on illegal drugs

Benjamin, Ramon and Francisco Arellano Felix are believed to be the biggest suppliers of cocaine to the United States. Mexico has offered a $1 million reward for each.

Madrazo said the brothers visited Las Vegas, Colorado and San Diego between 1993 and 1994. And top members of the Arellano's Tijuana-based cartel, who were captured by Mexican authorities, also said the brothers spent time recently in San Diego.

Court documents filed in San Diego by the Mexican government quote cartel members arrested in 1996 as testifying that the brothers have safe houses in San Diego and that one of them attended the World Cup soccer finals in Los Angeles in 1994.

U.S. officials, however, reject the idea, saying it would not make sense for the gang leaders to spend time in a country where one of the brothers, Ramon, is on the FBI's 10 Most Wanted list.

"What is important is that the U.S. authorities look for the Arellanos in their territory, just as the Mexicans do their job in their territory," Madrazo said.

McCaffrey declined to comment on the claims and said it would be best if U.S. law enforcement officials took up the issue instead.

But he said infighting among Mexico's most powerful drug cartels is a weakness that can be exploited.

"I think the Arellano Felix gang is on the run. I think the Juarez gang is incoherent and murdering each other and murdering bystanders," McCaffrey said. "The Gulf cartel has been fractured but is still operating."

McCaffrey also said the United States has been beefing up drug interdiction efforts with Mexico.

"Our concentration against money laundering and criminal organizations that operate on both sides of the border have both improved and we should see results and payoffs from that effort in the coming year," he said.

Mexico is sensitive to criticism of its record in fighting cocaine. Two-thirds of the cocaine consumed in the United States passes through Mexico on its way from South America.

Mexicans believe the United States is pointing fingers instead of recognizing its status as the world's biggest drug consumer, with $50 billion a year spent on illegal drugs that create serious corruption problems in Mexico and South America.

On Tuesday, moving to ease a sore point in U.S.-Mexican ties, McCaffrey announced a new way to evaluate Mexico's anti-drug effort -- a method that apparently would make the nations equal partners in the drug war.

McCaffrey said the change would apply "concrete measurements" on the anti-drug efforts of both the United States and Mexico in such areas as drug seizures and arrests.

The procedure is expected to reduce the political posturing that has occurred in the U.S. Congress during the certification process, which has been criticized by Mexico and several other Latin nations.

The U.S. government certifies every six months whether key nations are cooperating in the fight against drugs. Nations that are not certified face economic and other sanctions.

Mexico City Bureau Chief Chris Kline, The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report.

Related stories:

• Mexican leader denies ties to drug trade - February 6, 1998
• Drug chief: U.S., Mexico losing battle against drugs - August 29, 1997
• Mexico picks new drug czar - March 10, 1997
• Lawmakers ask Clinton to decertify Mexico as drug war ally - February 28, 1997
• U.S. grants full drug certification to Mexico - February 28, 1997

Related sites:

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• The Office of National Drug Control Policy
• Drug Enforcement Administration

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