Border Initiatives

By Adina Moloman

Sources: Fox News,   http://www.iniciativamerida.gob.mx/

Beyond the Border Action Plan, was released on December 7, 2011 by President Obama and Prime Minister Harper.

On February 4, 2011, both chief of states announced United States-Canada joint declaration, Beyond the Border: A Shared Vision for Perimeter Security and Economic Competitiveness. 

This initiative presents concrete steps for travel and trade between the United States and Canada and articulates a shared approach to security.

It is a plan to integrate cross border law enforcement, create a common set of customs requirements, for improving the largest trading relationship in the world.

On the other hand, on the southwest border, there is U.S.-Mexican Security Cooperation initiative, called The Mérida Initiative.

The Merida Initiative supports for Southwest Border Initiatives.

Mérida Initiative is defined as a counterdrug and anticrime assistance package for Mexico and Central America that was first proposed in October 2007.

Both Mexican and U.S governs worked together to develop a four-pillar strategy for U.S.-Mexican security cooperation: disrupting organized criminal groups; institutionalizing the rule of law;  building a 21st century border with well defined Mexico Customs Rules; and building strong and resilient communities.

By 2011, a total of $473.8 million worth of assistance had been provided to Mexico.

The evaluation of the results of this initiative is a continuous work in progress.