US News and World Report quotes Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center Deputy Director Jason Marczak on the meeting in Washington between President Obama and Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto:
Jason Marczak, deputy director of the Adrienne Arscht Latin America Center at the Atlantic Council, says Congress isn’t generally paying enough attention to what is occurring on the ground in Mexico to react to government-perpetrated violence by restricting funds.
“In some ways the question about whether it would [impact Merida Initiative spending] is actually an optimistic question about knowledge of Congress about what’s actually happening in Mexico,” Marczak says.
Aside from human rights, Obama and Pena Nieto will discuss economic cooperation between the countries that share a nearly 2,000 – mile border and generate half a trillion dollars a year in trade. The administration said its goal is to continue moving goods and people across the border.
“It’s always a critical topic of conversation is around commerce facilitation at the border and how do you find the right balance between security at the border with not inhibiting the free flow of commerce,” Marczak says.