Grassley today pressed administration officials to spell out the criteria used for making its determination. Congress requires that the President each year certify or decertify those countries that are identified as major drug producers or traffickers. Last year, the administration said that Mexico was "fully cooperating" in counter-narcotics programs. "But it's still unclear whether this statement reflected Mexico's potential or actual performance," Grassley said.
The Iowa senator - who is chairman of the Caucus on International Narcotics Control - called on the administration to "describe just how bad the situation would need to be before Mexico would be decertified," and to "define just what is expected of Mexico so that we can measure progress or identify new problems in the future."
During the last year, Mexico allowed one Mexican national to be extradited on drug charges and has shown willingness to do more. A major U.S. undercover operation last year, known as Casablanca, netted 110 indictments, but caused friction with Mexico because some of the operation occured on Mexican soil.
"The most important message in today's hearing is the need to pay sustained attention to the drug problem that strains our relationship with Mexico. The United States has an appetite for drugs, and Mexico is the major conduit for many of those drugs. The consumption of drugs in the U.S. kills and maims our citizens, and the flow of drugs through Mexico is a threat to their democracy," Grassley said.
Controlling the border and fighting drug trafficking has been impeded by corruption in the Mexican government. "If Mexico does not get a handle on corruption, the drug lords are going to be in charge, not the government," Grassley said.