U.S. Sees Heightened Threat in Mexico

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WSJ.com:

By ADAM ENTOUS And NATHAN HODGE

WASHINGTON—The Obama administration sees the drug-related violence sweeping Mexico as a growing threat to U.S. national security and has launched a broad review of steps the military and intelligence community could take to help combat what some U.S. officials describe as a narcoinsurgency.

U.S. and Mexican officials say the Pentagon's Northern Command, the Department of Homeland Security and other agencies are discussing what aviation, surveillance and intelligence assets could be used—both inside Mexico and along the border—to help counter the drug cartels.


Officials say it is unclear how much of an expanded American role the Mexicans will accept. The scope of the U.S. effort is expected to grow but it is unclear how much. There is no consideration of sending U.S. troops other than in a training or liaison capacity, people familiar with the matter say.

Interagency talks about ramping up assistance have been discreet to avoid a public backlash in Mexico.