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Obama to back Mexico's drugs war Obama supports Mexico's drug war
(about 1 hour later)
US President Barack Obama has arrived in Mexico for a visit during which he is expected to express support for its war on drugs cartels. At the start of a visit to Mexico, President Barack Obama says the US is a "full partner" with Mexico in its fight against the drug cartels.
Mr Obama is to hold wide-ranging talks with his Mexican counterpart, Felipe Calderon, on topics including the economy and cross-border smuggling. He said the US must reduce the flow of cash and guns across the border, which is said to be fuelling the problem.
Analysts say Mr Obama wants to show solidarity with Mr Calderon. Mr Obama is to hold wide-ranging talks with his Mexican counterpart, Felipe Calderon.
Hours before he arrived, 15 gunmen and one soldier were killed in a shoot-out in southern Mexico, officials said.Hours before he arrived, 15 gunmen and one soldier were killed in a shoot-out in southern Mexico, officials said.
Mexico's defence department said soldiers on a drugs patrol came under fire from gunmen in a vehicle in the remote, mountainous state of Guerrero. Mexico's defence department said soldiers on a drug patrol came under fire from gunmen in a vehicle in the remote, mountainous state of Guerrero.
Mr Obama has acknowledged America's shared responsibility for the violence which has killed more than 6,000 people over the last year.
'New era'
Speaking at his welcoming ceremony, Mr Obama said the US needed to do more to help.
High hopes for Obama visit
"At a time when the Mexican government has so courageously taken on the drug cartels that have plagued both sides of the borders, it is absolutely critical that the United States joins as a full partner in dealing with this issue," Mr Obama said.
Mr Calderon said a "new era" lay ahead where Mexico and the US faced challenges together.
"A new era when fighting organised crime will be fully embraced with a shared responsibility, as a battle that Americans and Mexicans have to fight, and that we will win as allies," he said.
Aside from combating the drug menace, Mr Obama said the US and Mexico needed to cooperate on a wide range of issues, citing climate change, poverty, and terrorism.
Regional summitRegional summit
Mexico is Mr Obama's only stop on the way to the Summit of the Americas, being held in Trinidad and Tobago.
For most Mexicans, the main concern is reviving the economy, says the BBC's Stephen Gibbs in Mexico City.For most Mexicans, the main concern is reviving the economy, says the BBC's Stephen Gibbs in Mexico City.
Mexico sends 80% of its exports to the US and millions of Mexican families rely on remittances from relatives working north of the border, our correspondent says.Mexico sends 80% of its exports to the US and millions of Mexican families rely on remittances from relatives working north of the border, our correspondent says.
Mexico is Mr Obama's only stop on the way to the Summit of the Americas, being held in Trinidad and Tobago.
Relations between the US and Mexico hit a low point earlier this year when a US military report said drugs-related violence was in danger of turning Mexico into a failed state.Relations between the US and Mexico hit a low point earlier this year when a US military report said drugs-related violence was in danger of turning Mexico into a failed state.
Over the past two years, some 8,000 people have been killed as gangs battle for control of the lucrative drug trafficking routes into the US.Over the past two years, some 8,000 people have been killed as gangs battle for control of the lucrative drug trafficking routes into the US.
High hopes for Obama visit
But President Obama's administration has since expressed solidarity with Mr Calderon who has sent hundreds of troops to regain control of the worst-affected areas.But President Obama's administration has since expressed solidarity with Mr Calderon who has sent hundreds of troops to regain control of the worst-affected areas.
During a visit to Mexico City in March, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said that the US shared responsibility for the drugs problem.During a visit to Mexico City in March, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said that the US shared responsibility for the drugs problem.
She said America's "insatiable demand" for illegal drugs fuelled the trade and that the US had an "inability" to stop weapons from being smuggled south.She said America's "insatiable demand" for illegal drugs fuelled the trade and that the US had an "inability" to stop weapons from being smuggled south.
Mr Obama has sent hundreds of federal agents along with high-tech surveillance equipment and drug-sniffer dogs to help Mexico fight the cartels.Mr Obama has sent hundreds of federal agents along with high-tech surveillance equipment and drug-sniffer dogs to help Mexico fight the cartels.
On Wednesday, the US placed three Mexican organisations on its list of suspected drug syndicates and Mr Obama also charged a senior official with stopping drugs-related violence crossing from Mexico into the US.On Wednesday, the US placed three Mexican organisations on its list of suspected drug syndicates and Mr Obama also charged a senior official with stopping drugs-related violence crossing from Mexico into the US.
"This is something that we take very seriously, and we're going to continue to work on diligently," Mr Obama said last month."This is something that we take very seriously, and we're going to continue to work on diligently," Mr Obama said last month.
Aside from combating the drugs menace, correspondents say Mr Obama and Mr Calderon are likely to discuss immigration reforms and ways of increasing trade between their countries.