Ousting the U.S. Ambassador Does Not Help U.S.–Mexican Crime Fight

Ray Walser / March 21, 2011

The resignation of U.S. Ambassador to Mexico Carlos Pascual, under pressure from President Felipe Calderon, is bad news for the Obama Administration.

There is little doubt that this is a “blow to U.S.-Mexico relations, in that the personal overcame the institutional.” It will damage joint U.S.–Mexico efforts to fight organized crime in Mexico and protect U.S. security at home by turning a common fight against a real enemy into a political contest between national leaders.

Since assuming the key ambassadorship in 2009, Pascual played an active role in efforts to speed delivery of Plan Merida assistance to Mexico, stand up an effective U.S. team in Mexico to support Calderon’s law enforcement efforts, and craft a broad-based strategy directed against organized crime. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton went out of her way to praise Pascual for his work. (more…)