The police and emergency responders in Mexico are facing many challenges, including organized crime. To help them deal with these issues, several countries, including some from overseas, are providing assistance.
For over 100 years, the US and Mexico have been working together on joint projects, such as training exercises across the border. One of these programs is called “Friendly Forces” (Fuerzas Amigas), which brings together troops from both countries to practice disaster response scenarios.
In June, a group of American soldiers traveled to Juarez, Mexico, along with their military helicopters, to participate in a joint exercise with the Mexican army. The scenario included simulated disasters such as an earthquake, a chemical spill, and a train derailment. Similar exercises have taken place in other border cities, including Reynosa, Mexico.
In addition to these training exercises, law enforcement agencies from the US and Mexico are working together on various projects. For example, Border Patrol agents in San Diego welcomed firefighters and police officers from Tijuana to learn how to deal with smugglers and injured migrants. They also practiced scenarios such as a gun battle between smugglers and police.
Some of these training exercises involve sharing intelligence and best practices. For instance, the US and Mexico are working together to identify and capture individuals wanted by authorities on both sides of the border. This initiative is called “Seeking Information” (Se Busca Información), and it involves posting pictures and a tipline for residents to help track down fugitives.
These partnerships have led to several successes, including the arrest of 13 out of 40 fugitives featured in the border’s Most Wanted posters in the El Paso region.
Source: Border Report
