The new Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, has suspended funding for Mexico’s fight against drug trafficking under the Merida Plan, while evaluating which foreign assistance items align with US interests, as directed by President Donald Trump.
On Friday night, Rubio sent a memorandum to embassies and consulates, announcing a 90-day freeze on all foreign aid, except for military financing to Israel and Egypt. A third temporary exception remains for “emergency food aid and administrative expenses, including salaries, necessary to administer such aid.”
Rubio’s decision is based on an executive order from President Trump, which considers foreign aid unrelated to American interests. The suspension includes aid to Ukraine and Taiwan, as well as funds for the Merida Plan, which supports Mexico’s fight against organized crime through the Agency for Foreign Assistance (USAID).
Merida Initiative
The Merida Initiative, in effect since 2008, aims to support Mexico and Central American countries in combating organized crime and stopping the flow of drugs to the US.
Rubio’s suspension of foreign aid comes ahead of his first foreign tour, which includes visits to most Central American countries and the Dominican Republic. He is set to visit Panama, Costa Rica, and El Salvador, where President Trump wants to adopt President Najib Bukele’s plan to contain gangs.
Criticism of Mexico
As a former federal senator for Florida, Rubio repeatedly criticized Mexico, stating that drug cartels control large areas of the country. He supports President Trump’s plan to designate drug cartels as terrorist organizations, allowing the US to use armed forces resources to combat them.
US-Mexico Relations
President Trump emphasized a good relationship with Mexico, comparing it favorably to Canada. He reiterated that if Canada does not want tariffs, it could join the US as another state. Trump made these remarks during the Davos Forum in Switzerland, where he warned against anyone mocking the US.
Cancellation of Gender X Passports
The US has suspended the issuance of passports with the gender “X” for non-binary individuals, following a decree by President Trump on his first day in office. The State Department has stopped processing applications for such passports and will announce guidelines for previously issued passports with the X designation.
Trump’s executive order recognizes only two genders defined at birth and stipulates that federal funds should not promote gender ideology. Documents with the X gender were authorized during the Joe Biden administration.
Source: Excelsior
