Mexican peace caravan crosses US border

US: A week-long Mexican peace caravan crossed the border into El Paso, Texas on Saturday as protest leader and poet Javier Sicilia called on the US to do more in the fight against drug-related violence in Mexico.

“The United States must admit their responsibility in the violence in Mexico,” said Sicilia as he spoke in front of hundreds of members of American organizations and immigrants.

He asked Washington to end the Merida Initiative, a plan that began in 2008 to support Mexico and certain Central American countries in their fight against drug traffickers by partnering with the governments and providing assistance such as training and equipment to law enforcement.

Friday, US Department of State spokesman Mark Toner said the US supports the caravan’s message for peace, especially in Mexico where society as a whole has been touched by violence.

El Paso, Sunday, AFP