Mexico

In an effort to decrease violence and the flow of narcotics into the U.S., President Bush asked Congress this week for $500 million to help Mexico fight drug gangs at home. Bush has worked with President Calderon on the details of the plan, which would send to Mexico equipment such as surveillance aircraft, drug-detection gear, data processing technology, and training and technical help for law enforcement agencies.

Bush’s initial $500 million request is part of a larger $1.4 billion multi-year plan.

For more information, see:
Bush Seeks Funds to Help Mexico Fight Drugs (New York Times)
Bush Seeking Aid for Mexico in Drug Fight (Washington Post)

Mexico City Mayor Marcelo Ebrard is gaining international attention for his efforts to improve the quality of life in the city. The Mayor has constructed “urban beaches” and recently removed 15,000 vendors from 87 streets in the city center. He has held outdoor movie screenings and closed major roads to traffic on Sundays in order to make room for cyclists and roller skaters. Ebrard is also planning to toughen anti-smoking laws and bring wireless Internet access to the public.

For details, see Mexico City Borrows Ideas from Paris (Christian Science Monitor).

Appearing on CNN to promote his new book, “Revolution of Hope,” former Mexican President Vicente Fox offered his views on a variety of issues including immigration and U.S. politics. Though he did not explicitly endorse Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton, Fox said that more women need to be elected.

Referring to his post-presidency, Fox said he is following the lead of former U.S. Presidents Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter by investing his time in important issues and building a presidential library to carry on his work.

Former Mexican Foreign Minister Jorge Castaneda recently addressed the Foreign Policy Association’s World Leadership Forum in New York.  Click here to view his speech on U.S.-Mexico relations.