Mexico initially reacted by banning U.S. drug control activities, and eventually decided, in 1992, that it would no longer accept U.S. counter-narcotics assistance, except for some minor technical assistance. While the flow of drugs from Mexico remains high and incidences of corruption persist, the Clinton Administration seems confident that President Zedillo is committed to rooting out corruption and establishing a close working relationship with the United States in this area. Subordinate working groups on money laundering, chemical control, demand reduction, prisoner transfer, extradition, and mutual legal assistance meet four times per year to coordinate policies. At the November 1997 meeting, the two Presidents also signed a protocol to the bilateral extradition treaty that will permit temporary extradition for trials of cross-border criminals, and a hemispheric convention against illegal firearms trafficking. In the area of law enforcement cooperation and training, the United States has been involved in the training and screening of Mexicans involved in several important new agencies.
Critics charge that the Mexican law enforcement establishment is riddled with corruption.
They argue that inadequate efforts have been made to arrest and dismantle the major drug cartels, to extradite Mexican citizens to the United States on drug-related charges, and to permit DEA agents to carry firearms for their protection.