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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| US to boost Mexico border defence | US to boost Mexico border defence |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| The US government is to increase security at the country's border with Mexico, in an attempt to combat drug cartels, the White House has announced. | The US government is to increase security at the country's border with Mexico, in an attempt to combat drug cartels, the White House has announced. |
| The number of immigration, customs and anti-drug agents and gun law enforcement officers will be increased, officials said. | The number of immigration, customs and anti-drug agents and gun law enforcement officers will be increased, officials said. |
| Some 8,000 people have died in Mexico over the past two years amid bitter turf wars between rival drugs gangs. | Some 8,000 people have died in Mexico over the past two years amid bitter turf wars between rival drugs gangs. |
| The south-west US has also seen rising violence and kidnappings. | The south-west US has also seen rising violence and kidnappings. |
| Gun crackdown | Gun crackdown |
| Agents from the Department of Homeland Security, the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms and Explosives (ATF) will be sent to the border to region to help deal with the issue. | Agents from the Department of Homeland Security, the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms and Explosives (ATF) will be sent to the border to region to help deal with the issue. |
| See the Mexican cartels' main areas of influence | |
| Border Enforcement Security Task Forces (BEST) teams will be doubled and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is to create special south-west intelligence group to coordinate all its efforts to tackle Mexican drug-related crime. | Border Enforcement Security Task Forces (BEST) teams will be doubled and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is to create special south-west intelligence group to coordinate all its efforts to tackle Mexican drug-related crime. |
| I believe the Mexican government will not fail Janet NapolitanoUS Homeland Security Secretary | |
| ATF is to send 100 agents to the border within 45 days to crack down on illegal gun transfers from the US into Mexico. | ATF is to send 100 agents to the border within 45 days to crack down on illegal gun transfers from the US into Mexico. |
| The plan will draw on $700m (£475m) of funds already allocated by Congress to assist Mexico in its fight against the drug cartels. | |
| Mexico's government will also receive five helicopters and a surveillance aircraft as part of the scheme. | |
| Failed state warning | |
| "I believe the Mexican government will not fail," said US Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano. | |
| "And I believe our role is to assist in this battle because we have our own security interests in its success." | |
| Earlier this year, a study by the US Department of Defence warned that Mexico was in danger of becoming a failed state because of the drug gangs. | |
| Ms Napolitano said she had not ruled out sending National Guard troops to the border region, and said she would meet Texas Governor Rick Perry to discuss the possible deployment. | |
| US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will travel to Mexico on Wednesday for the first of a series of high-level meetings between the two governments. | |
| President Barack Obama is also expected to visit Mexico in the coming weeks. | |
| Gang-related violence claimed the lives of some 6,000 people in 2008 and so far this year more than 1,000 have been killed as gangs fight both one another for territory and the police and troops sent to tackle them. | |
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