Mexico asks US for 1 billion dollars to fight drug traffic: report

Jun 22, 2007, 17:35 GMT

Mexico City - Mexico has asked the United States for 1 billion dollars in equipment and training to fight drug traffic, the Mexican daily El Universal reported Friday.

Quoting 'well-informed sources' in a report out of Washington, the newspaper said the US government is studying the proposal.

On Thursday, Mexican federal agents arrested former governor of Quintana Roo Mario Villanueva even as he left jail after a six-year sentence. Mexican authorities plan to extradite him to the United States.

'United States Justice wants him for his likely responsibility in facilitating the introduction of large quantities of cocaine into that country by the Juarez Cartel,' the Mexican attorney general's office said.

The request of 1 billion dollars from the US springs from Mexico's evaluation of its own needs. Mexican authorities have repeatedly demanded an increased commitment from Washington in the fight against the illegal drug trade, stressing that the United States is the largest market for narcotics and drives the demand.

Mexican and US sources told the daily that cooperation would mainly be centred on the areas of communications and electronics, for the detection of aircraft, the interception of calls and the exchange of intelligence.

'Requests do not include any specifically military demands,' the daily noted.

In recent weeks, Mexican authorities have staunchly denied that a project similar to the Plan Colombia might be negotiated for Mexico. Beyond other kinds of support, the Plan Colombia includes military assistance