Mexico to Buy Antidrug Aircraft with U.S.

Aircraft will be among the first equipment purchased by Mexico with funds provided by the U.S. government under the Merida Initiative to provide assistance in combating drug trafficking in the region.

The initial $197 million of $400 million in fiscal 2008 funds approved by Congress for the initiative were released on Dec.3 after the signing of a letter of agreement between the Mexican and U.S. governments.

Merida is planned as a three-year, $1.4 billion initiative, with the majority of funding going to Mexico for equipment, technology and training and a smaller amount going to Central American allies.

Read more