InfoAnda - U.S. security firms vie for Mexican drug war work

Pakistanis angry over detentions in Times Sq. case
Monday, May 24, 2010
ISLAMABAD – Relatives of three men detained by Pakistan for alleged links to the suspect in the attempted Times Square bombing say the men are innocent.
They

Taiwan denies boycotting Australian film festival
Thursday, August 6, 2009

AFP - Thursday, August 6TAIPEI (AFP) - - Taiwan's Beijing-friendly government on Wednesday denied boycotting an Australian film festival amid a row over the e

Merkel's support dips, regional ally resigns International
Thursday, September 3, 2009

By Sarah Marsh and Noah Barkin

BERLIN (Reuters) - Chancellor Angela Merkel suffered a double blow on Thursday as a senior party ally in east German

Minister seeks closure of anti-Berlusconi websites
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
ROME (AFP) - – The Italian government moved Tuesday to close down Internet sites encouraging further violence against Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, who

Asian markets mixed after Wall Street rally
Wednesday, March 18, 2009

By ELAINE KURTENBACH,AP Business Writer AP - Wednesday, March 18SHANGHAI - Asia's stock market rally seemed to be running out of steam Wednesday, despite an

Pakistani stocks dull as new tax weighs on sentiment | 1 July 2010
Will Power wins second Texas Twin; finished third in opener | 13 June 2011
Mexico captures powerful Gulf cartel hitman | International | | 30 April 2009

Head of Canadian army shuffled out of job | | 25 March 2010

Forum Views () Forum Replies ()

Read more with google mobile : U.S. security firms vie for Mexican drug war work | International |

My Profile Top News Reuters top ten news stories delivered to your inbox each day. Subscribe You are here: Home > News > International > Article Home Business & Finance News U.S. Politics International Technology Entertainment Sports Lifestyle Oddly Enough Health Science Special Coverage Video Pictures Your View The Great Debate Blogs Weather Reader Feedback Do More With Reuters RSS Widgets Mobile Podcasts Newsletters Your View Make Reuters My Homepage Partner Services CareerBuilder Affiliate Network Professional Products Support (Customer Zone) Reuters Media Financial Products About Thomson Reuters U.S. security firms vie for Mexican drug war work Thu Jul 16, 2009 7:37pm EDT Email | Print | Share | Reprints | Single Page [-] Text [+] By Mica Rosenberg MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - As Mexico battles to keep a lid on raging drug war violence, U.S. companies are fighting over millions of dollars in contracts for military equipment and training under a long-promised U.S. aid package. Private U.S. security firms will get the bulk of a $1.4 billion package pledged by the United States in 2007 to help its southern neighbor crush rampant drug gang carnage. Only a fraction of the aid has been delivered so far. Almost all of an initial $400 million tranche approved by the U.S. Congress in 2008 and being released bit by bit to buy helicopters and inspection gear and train Mexican police will be doled out to 30 or 40 U.S. companies, said a U.S. embassy official, who spoke on condition of anonymity. The state-of-the art equipment, promised by former President George W. Bush at a meeting with President Felipe Calderon in the colonial city of Merida, is badly needed in Mexico as the death toll from a 2 1/2-year drug war tops 12,800. "We would love to get in on some of that Merida money," said Scott Newman, an executive from Texas firm Texcalibur, which specializes in bulletproofing cars used in war zones. "You see these trucks that aren't armored and they've got the Mexican police in the back holding on to roll bars. They are exposed. The narcos have bigger, more powerful weapons and they just spray them with bullets," said Newman, whose firm recently attended a security fair in Mexico to hawk its wares. The Mexican government has welcomed the so-called "Merida Initiative" and a promise by President Barack Obama to try to stem the smuggling of U.S. guns to Mexico but is not holding its breath for the gear to arrive. Calderon has poured some $7 billion into a high-stakes military crackdown on drug cartels but his security forces struggle to match the clout of powerful gangs that shunt $40 billion worth of drugs across the U.S. border each year and smuggle back sophisticated weaponry and technology. The deployment of thousands of troops since Calderon took office in late 2006 has stoked fresh turf wars between rival gangs. Hitmen often shoot their victims at close range, behead them or slowly torture them to death in cartel safe houses. U.S. COMPANIES TOUT MIDEAST EXPERIENCE Many U.S. security companies that supported anti-drug operations in Colombia or worked in Middle Eastern or African conflict zones say they have the expertise to help Mexico. Hurt by the economic downturn, dozens are lining up for Merida contracts, the U.S. official told Reuters. Meanwhile, delays due in part to concerns in the U.S. Congress about possible human rights abuses by Mexican troops and in part to complicated contracting requirements spread across various U.S. agencies mean very little of the equipment promised under the Merida plan has actually arrived. Some expect what is eventually delivered may look like less than the $1.4 billion promised to Mexico and Central America. "I have heard Mexican authorities say the amounts awarded under Merida are false because such a large percentage stays in U.S. hands, in salaries and contracts and a lot of spending on bureaucracy," said Mexican security analyst Raul Benitez. Continued... View article on single page Share: Del.icio.us Digg Mixx Yahoo! Facebook LinkedIn Analysis: Saying no to CIT a big gamble for Team Obama NASA admits moon landing tapes got erased Commentary: Ugly American and other stereotypes More International News Jakarta hotel bombs kill 9, dent investor confidence U.N. council sanctions North Korea entities, officials Ahmadinejad opponents to attend weekly Iran prayers Japan PM set to keep job ahead of tough election UK says could cut warheads if U.S., Russia go further More International News... Related News Mexico pours police into state as drug war flares 16 Jul 2009 United States says Venezuela undermines drug fight 16 Jul 2009 Editor's Choice Slideshow A selection of our best photos from the past 24 hours. Slideshow Most Popular on Reuters Articles Video Hillary Clinton rejects notion of diminished role Moon landing tapes got erased, NASA admits Jakarta hotel bombs kill 9, dent investor confidence "Family Guy" smashes Emmy barrier for cartoons Ahmadinejad: Iran will "bring down" Western foes U.S. wants to boost Japan nuclear umbrella: paper H1N1 pandemic spreading too fast to count: WHO Indonesia stocks, rupiah hit by deadly hotel blasts Man tries to fix airbed, blows up apartment Michael Jackson's wife sues over custody reports Most Popular Articles RSS Feed Video Obama addresses NAACP Moon landing video released Miss Moscow can take the heat Schwarzenegger feels the heat Iraq's oil politics Enhanced moonwalk video released Clinton's passage to India Sotomayor concludes Senate testimony India, Pakistan agree more talks Casualties mount in Afghanistan Most Popular Videos RSS Feed We want to hear from you Join the Reuters Consumer Insight Panel and help us get to know you better Please take a moment to complete our survey Reuters.com: Help and Contact Us | Advertise With Us | Mobile | Newsletters | RSS | Labs | Archive | Site Index | Video Index Thomson Reuters Corporate: Copyright | Disclaimer | Privacy | Professional Products | Professional Products Support | About Thomson Reuters | Careers International Editions: Africa | Arabic | Argentina | Brazil | Canada | China | France | Germany | India | Italy | Japan | Latin America | Mexico | Russia | Spain | United Kingdom | United States Thomson Reuters is the world's largest international multimedia news agency, providing investing news, world news, business news, technology news, headline news, small business news, news alerts, personal finance, stock market, and mutual funds information available on Reuters.com, video, mobile, and interactive television platforms. Thomson Reuters journalists are subject to an Editorial Handbook which requires fair presentation and disclosure of relevant interests. NYSE and AMEX quotes delayed by at least 20 minutes. Nasdaq delayed by at least 15 minutes. For a complete list of exchanges and delays, please click here.

Other News on Friday, 17 July 2009
Iran atomic chief Aghazadeh resigns
Kidnapped French agents separated in Mogadishu
Sony Ericsson CEO sees tough times ahead as sales plunge
Talking toy 'translates' dog barks
JPMorgan profit leaps in positive sign for sector
Nokia says profits drop 66 pct
Ahmadinejad: Iran will bring down Western foes | International |
H1N1 pandemic spreading too fast to count: WHO | International |
Facebook claims 250 million users
Gates says famine is eroding North Korean military threat | International |
Pro-Zelaya protests grip Honduras ahead of talks | International |
French hostage handed to al Qaeda-linked Somali group | International |
Nokia says profits drop 66 pct
Sony Ericsson CEO sees tough times ahead as sales plunge
Former KRouge prison guard recounts 'killing field'
China absent as World Games open in Taiwan
Exchange student neglect leads to calls for reform
Facebook has privacy gaps: Canadian watchdog | Technology |
UN official, guard killed in Pakistan: officials
The Nation's weather
Palm shares sink after Apple closes iTunes sync | Technology |
Indonesia says 'foreign countries' linked to attacks
Khmer Rouge trial hears harrowing tribunal testimony
Bones lead to mystery Miami graveyard from 1900s
China scales back paramilitary forces in Urumqi
More accusers set to testify against evangelist
Obama address NAACP conference
Iowa plants to offer farmers cash for corn cobs
S.Korea's Kim Dae-Jung on respirator: officials
Bush admin official defends warrantless wiretaps
N.Korea makes documentary on Kim's life
Damage eyed as shuttle heads toward space station
Man jailed for not supporting someone else's child
BT to call back India-based staff to Britain: report
US officials confident of greater clean energy ties with China
Pakistan's current account deficit narrows in 2008/09
Reliance, DreamWorks ink film deal
Indonesia to boost police at Freeport mine
SKorea's LG Display 2Q net profit falls 60 percent
Indonesian mine's road closed after another attack
Foreign investment in Myanmar soars
Orlando Bloom's L.A. home burglarized | Entertainment |
Tokyo bourse chief decries regulation, bailouts
Stage for Madonna show collapses in France, 1 dead | Entertainment |
SKorea's tourism plug sparking negative response: official
China warns all countries not to promote Uighur leader
From woof to words: Toy 'translates' dog barks
EU awards its first literature prize, to 12 authors
Reliance, DreamWorks ink film deal
Q&A: Maxwell on music, love and his hair
Jackson death revives interest in Twitchell mural
Medvedev lauds slain Russian activist
Ahmadinejad opponents to attend weekly Iran prayers
Google Health to safeguard "end-of-life" wishes
Jakarta hotel bombs kill 9, dent investor confidence | International |
JPMorgan profits a strong sign for banking sector
U.N. council sanctions North Korea entities, officials | International |
US teen arrives home after round-the-world sail
Iceland's parliament backs applying for EU membership
Iran's Ahmadinejad vows to 'slap' any aggressor
Google profits rise in quarter to $1.48 bln
Geithner sees US finance system improving
Iranian president casts doubt on US engagement
Retail titan Wal-Mart launches 'sustainability index'
Activist murder overshadows Germany-Russia talks
Spike in British swine flu deaths as race for vaccines begins
Iran opposition looking for boost at Friday prayer
Japan PM set to keep job ahead of tough election | International |
US commerce secretary raises Internet control with China
Black boxes from Iran's crashed plane recovered
UK says could cut warheads if U.S., Russia go further | International |
U.S. wants to boost Japan nuclear umbrella: paper | International |
British MPs challenge Brown over Afghanistan
Rio rejects Chinese bribe reports | International |
Fourteen people die in Egypt crash
Ahmadinejad vows to "bring down" Western foes
Suspect arrested in Cuba priest murder: Church | International |
Iran's Mousavi plans new political front
Pro-Zelaya protests grip Honduras ahead of talks | International |
Orthodox Jews trash streets over state interference
U.S. security firms vie for Mexican drug war work | International |
Bombs kill nine in Jakarta hotels: police
Five killed, many homeless in SKorean rainstorm
Ex-Boeing engineer convicted of spying for China
Fiery Obama hails black history
Senior US envoy to visit Seoul for talks on NKorea
Gates vows to fight Congress on defense budget
Nine dead in Indonesian hotel blasts: police
US may seek more data on people flying in from EU
US lawmaker threatens funds in China Guantanamo row
Obama Supreme Court pick on track for quick vote
UN adds NKorean officials, entities to sanctions list
First female presidential helo pilot finishes tour
Falun Gong rallies in US on anniversary
Google sees YouTube profitable in near future | Technology |
Judge dismisses lawsuit against Hillary Clinton
Explosions heard at two central Jakarta hotels
U.S. video game sales post largest decline since 2000 | Technology |
Witness quotes from Sotomayor hearings
Man arrested for murder of Polish hostage in Pakistan
LA man arrested in wife's high-seas death
N.J. drivers support texting ban but still do it | Technology |
Dems at odds with White House on F-22 funding
Latest 'Harry Potter' makes record mid-week debut
Police collar suspect in Paris wine thefts
Latest 'Harry Potter' makes record mid-week debut
New Michael Jackson song leaked to celebrity website
NPS to meet global managers to boost foreign assets
Suspects' Boycott Delays 9/11 Hearing At Guantanamo
TV comedy is Tina Fey's world
S.Korea June LNG imports fall to 1.46 mln T
New Jersey Stakeout Turns Deadly When Suspect Begins Firing; 5 Cops Wounded, 2 Suspects Dead
California Teen Youngest To Sail World Alone
Rising interest, pricetag for Warhol portrait of Jackson
Safe, Guns Found In Murders Of Pensacola Couple
World's cheapest car hits Indian streets
Obama Gives First Speech Before NAACP As President
Emmy streakers looking to stay alive
Korea Hot Stocks
Minimum Wage To Jump On July 24
S.Korea c.bank sells 1.5 trln won MSBs via window sale
Chicago's Sears Tower Is Now Willis Tower
A mild 'Vanities' celebrates female friendship
CIT Group Shares Tumble Over 75% As Collapse Seems Inevitable
Taiwan dollar up on risk appetite after US earnings
`Potter' enchants fans with $58.2M opening day
Romney Is Top Republican Choice For 2012, Latest Gallup Says
Developing: 2 Suspects Dead, 5 Cops Wounded In Jersey Shootout
New video shows Jackson's head catching fire
S.Korean bonds fall on data, co earnings
Esteemed stage actor relishes Dumbledore role
Six killed in central Jakarta hotel bombings
Seoul shares open firm; LG Display rises
S.Korea department store sales rise for 4th month
New Harry Potter movie sets world opening record | Entertainment |
Michael Jackson's wife sues over custody reports | Entertainment |
30 Rock leads fresher-looking Emmys | Entertainment |
Indonesia to send more police to Freeport mine
Actress Mischa Barton on psych hold in L.A | Entertainment |
Rapper Asher Roth says he is no Eminem | Entertainment |
Family Guy smashes Emmy barrier for cartoons | Entertainment |
Stage for Madonna show collapses in France, 1 dead | Entertainment |
Hannah Montana, Mariah Carey hit U.S. singles chart | Entertainment |
US videogame sales slid again in June: NPD
Iran vote detainees must be freed: Rafsanjani
Stretched British Airways plans to raise £600m
Shuttle Endeavour cleared for ISS docking
Turkmenistan signs landmark gas exploration deal
"Angela's Ashes" Author Frank McCourt Gravely Ill With Meningitis
Cleric says Iran in crisis, police fight protesters | International |
Iran police tear gas Mousavi supporters
Troop deaths spiral in Afghanistan as debate rages | International |
2 dead in Ingushetia attack, minister alive: official
Mischa Barton Reportedly Placed Under Psychiatric Hold
Sudan's former foes remain divided after talks
Iran opposition hold fresh demos in Tehran
Ingushetia minister shot dead: official
Michael Jackson's Ex-Wife Debbie Rowe Sues Over Alleged False Email Claims
Back Pakistan in terror fight, Clinton tells India | International |
Iran's Ahmadinejad appoints new atomic chief, first VP
Farrah Fawcett Posthumously Nominated For An Emmy Award
Harry Potter And The Half-Blood Prince Makes Record-Breaking $104 Million Box Office Gross On First Day
Suspected U.S. drone kills five militants in Pakistan | International |
Mashaie appointed Iran's new first vice president
U.N. not to name culprits in Bhutto assassination | International |
Facebook Faces Privacy Issues In Canada
Mosques reopen in China's Xinjiang under heavy security | International |
U2 Frontman Bono And Former British PM Tony Blair Tapped As Speakers At Leadership Summit
Pope breaks wrist after slipping in bath | International |
Black Eyed Peas Top Hot 100 For Another Week With "I Gotta Feeling"
Stage Collapse For Madonna Marseille Show Leaves 1 Dead, 6 Injured
NBC's '30 Rock' Gets 22 Emmy Nods
Microsoft and Yahoo near ad deal: report | Technology |
NKorea faces worst crisis since 1994: think tank
Storm lashes Philippine capital: officials
Ten climbers die in Japan in bad weather: police
Danish troops in Afghanistan get Facebook warning | Technology |
Efforts to oust Japan's PM falter
Google's slowing 2Q ad sales overshadow earnings
Chinese police say protest foreigner still alive
Apollo 11 lunar navigation chart sells for $218K
Miracle survivor leaves Australian hospital
Space shuttle Endeavour closes in on space station
Japan PM set to keep job ahead of tough election
La. infant with 100 small animal bites found dead
Navajos mark 30th anniversary of uranium spill
Calif. removed from federal gay marriage case
'Safe' yen higher after Jakarta bomb blasts
China cash boosts Myanmar investment: ministry
Nissan Motor may expand hybrid range: official
Seoul shares end firm helped by LG Elec, Display =2
SKorea's POSCO confirms buying Vietnam steel mill
Seoul shares end firm helped by LG Elec, Display
S.Korea apartment prices up for 6th week-bank data
China urges Russian calm on bazaar crackdown
Latin America gets taste of France's 'raw art'
Police: Bombs at Jakarta hotels kill 4 foreigners
New Harry Potter movie sets world opening record | Entertainment |
Pakistan dancing girls fear return to Swat
Cuba's land distribution plan keeps farmers waiting
Cambodia tries to tame traffic chaos
'Womb for hire': growing surrogacy in US
Salsa musician Ruben Blades visits Harvard archive
Big Letterman win in weekly late-night ratings
Modernist photographer Julius Shulman dies in LA
MJ's brothers to attend Jamaica's Reggae Sumfest
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights

USD EUR - 1 year graph	VPN on MacOSX	BlogMeter 1.01