US, Mexico to discuss overhaul of drug cartel strategy

Officials set to hash out new agreement aimed at root causes of violence during US Secretary of State Mexico visit.

The United States and Mexico are set to seek a new security agreement to address drug cartel violence and other issues during US Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s trip to Mexico City.

The one-day visit on Friday comes as both countries have indicated a willingness to overhaul the 13-year-old Merida Initiative, under which the US provided military firepower, technical support and security training to address crime, particularly cartel violence.

Speaking to reporters on Thursday, State Department spokesman Ned Price said “we believe we are due for an updated look at our bilateral security cooperation”.