We are celebrating the Bicentennial of our Independence, two hundred years of being proudly free and proudly Mexican. At that time, Mexico was the first nation to abolish slavery in the whole of continental America, and it is exactly one hundred years since the Mexican Revolution, a revolution against oppression, a revolution for justice and democracy.
As you can see, Mexico was founded on the same values and principles as the United States of America.
We are very proud of this past. However, the Mexican people and their government are focused on the future.
That is why Mexico is a country in a continuous process of transformation. We are determined to change, and we are taking the decisions that are going to make Mexico a more prosperous democracy.
One of the main changes taking place in Mexico is our commitment to firmly establish the rule of law. That is why we are deploying the full force of the State to confront organized crime with determination and courage.
Let me be clear, this fight is not only and not mainly about stopping the drug trade. It is first and foremost a drive to guarantee the security of Mexican families, who are under threat from the abuses and the vicious acts of criminals.
As I told the Mexican people in my inaugural speech, restoring public security will not be easy and will not be quick.
It will take time; it will take money and, unfortunately, to our deep sorrow, human lives as well.
This is a battle that has to be fought, because the future of our families is at stake. But, I told them, you can be sure of one thing. This is a battle that, united, we the Mexican people will win.
We cannot ignore the fact that the challenge to our security has roots on both sides of the border. At the end of the day its origin is the high demand for drugs here.
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has said “We accept our share of the responsibility, we know that the demand for drugs drives much of this illicit trade.”
This is symbolic of our new relationship. We have moved from the suspicion and the mutual recrimination of the past to the cooperation and mutual understanding of the present.
Let me take this opportunity to congratulate President Obama for his recent initiative to reduce the consumption of drugs. I hope, for the good of both nations and the entire hemisphere, that this succeeds.
Now, let me tell you what Mexico is doing to confront and overcome this problem.
First, we have not hesitated to use all the power of the state, including the federal police and the Armed Forces, in order to support the local governments that are facing the greatest threat from organized crime.
Second, we are weakening the financial and operational capabilities of criminal gangs. Federal operations have led to record seizures of drugs, cash and weapons from the criminals. The Federal Forces have also arrested many important felons who are now facing Mexican justice, and we have extradited a record number of criminals to face justice in the United States.
Third, we are rebuilding our institutions and security forces, especially at the federal level. We have more than tripled the federal police budget since the beginning of my Administration and multiplied the size of its force. We are recruiting honest young men and women with values, who are better trained, better paid and better equipped.
Fourth, we are transforming our judicial system to make it more transparent and efficient. We are moving towards open trials that are the basis of your own judicial system.
And fifth, we have set up social programs to prevent young people from turning to crime, including prevention and treatment for addictions.
As you can see, Mexico is doing everything it can to fight this threat and to secure our common future. We are fulfilling our duty as a good neighbor, taking care of business on our side of the border.
The U.S. is also helping. Congress approved the Merida Initiative, which we greatly appreciate, and our Administrations are sharing more information than ever to fight crime.
However, there is one issue where Mexico needs your cooperation, and that is stopping the flow of assault weapons and other deadly arms across the border.
It is true that the U.S. Government is now carrying out operations against gun traffickers. But it is also true that there are more than 7 thousand gun shops along the border with Mexico, where almost anyone can purchase these powerful weapons.
Let us work together to end this lethal trade that threatens Mexico and your own people.
I have spoken at length on this issue, because I know it is a big concern of the American people. However, as I said, Mexico is a country undergoing deep transformations, and our relationship is about much more than just security.
I strongly disagree with the recently adopted law in Arizona. I agree with President Obama who said the new law “carries a great amount of risk when core values that we all care about are breached.”
We cannot ignore this threat to civil rights and democracy, two core values that we share; we must find a better way to face and fix together this common problem.
I have come here as your partner and as your friend. Our two great nations are joined by geography and by history, as well as by a shared brilliant future.
I believe in the future of North America as the strongest, most prosperous region in the world.
President Franklin D. Roosevelt once said that “the only limit to our realization of tomorrow will be our doubts of today. Let us move forward with strong and active faith.”
Let us work together in order to give our peoples the future they deserve.
