The United States ambassador to Mexico, Ken Salazar, harshly criticized the Mexican government today in a speech from his residence in Mexico City, alleging that our southern neighbor is not combating drug trafficking. He went on to dictate what Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum should do to fight drug gangs.
Salazar’s public rant is far beyond internationally recognized diplomatic norms. Imagine the reaction if a Mexican ambassador in the United States attacked his or her host country.
The Mexican government should declare him persona non grata and invite him to pack up and head back to his homeland. Once home he might want to sneak a peek at the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.
After 50 years of operation, drugs are more abundant and deadlier than ever. Critics point out that the agency’s focus on law enforcement has not effectively addressed public health outcomes related to drug use. Right now, at least 37 million Americans consume illegal drugs. That consumption, of course, sustains drug trafficking.
In 2021, the Justice Department’s Office of Inspector General began an external probe into the DEA. This investigation includes scrutiny of whether DEA director Anne Milgram improperly awarded $4.7 million in no-bid contracts to hire past associates.
In July 2023, the DEA’s second-in-command, Louis Milione, resigned amid reports of his previous consulting work for pharmaceutical companies.
Milione had consulted for a pharmaceutical distributor sanctioned for suspicious painkiller shipments and for Purdue Pharma, a key player in the opioid epidemic.
Between 2018 and 2023, more than 2,600 officers were killed in those six years, with at least 412 in 2023.
There is no question that corruption remains a big problem for Mexico. Just in the last month I had to bribe a Mexican cop or face having my car towed away and impounded.
We need to look in the mirror at least for a bit. No other nation consumes as much illicit drugs than the United States.
Ricardo Chavira Chicano 