Since 2008, the United States has dedicated significant financial resources to Mexico, totaling over $3 billion, with the primary objectives of strengthening the rule of law and combating drug trafficking. These efforts were initially formalized under the Mérida Initiative and have evolved into the Bicentennial Framework for Security, Public Health, and Safe Communities, established in 2021. This new framework broadens the scope of US assistance, incorporating commitments to reduce drug demand within the US and curb the illegal flow of firearms from the US into Mexico, alongside the ongoing goals of the Mérida Initiative.
The implementation of US assistance programs in Mexico is primarily overseen by the Department of State’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (State/INL) and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). Both agencies report tangible results at the project level, despite encountering considerable obstacles. These challenges notably include persistent political corruption and impunity within Mexico, coupled with an escalating drug demand in the United States that inadvertently empowers transnational criminal organizations. Examples of project successes include State/INL’s advancements in developing forensic investigation capabilities within Mexico and USAID’s initiatives providing educational opportunities for at-risk youth.
A table from a Government Accountability Office (GAO) report showing an analysis of the State Department’s actions in addressing key elements for assessing progress towards the shared goals of the Bicentennial Framework between the U.S. and Mexico.
However, a recent report from the Government Accountability Office (GAO) highlights crucial gaps in the assessment of the Bicentennial Framework’s effectiveness. While State/INL has successfully defined desired outcomes and established a hierarchy of goals and objectives—two key elements for evaluating progress—significant shortcomings remain. Specifically, State/INL has not yet identified the specific projects intended to achieve the framework’s goals, nor has it defined clear milestones and performance indicators to measure results. Furthermore, monitoring and evaluation plans to track progress are still lacking. State/INL officials have indicated that progress assessment is pending due to ongoing negotiations with the Mexican government to establish a mutually agreed-upon set of performance indicators.
The GAO emphasizes that without addressing these critical elements—defining activities, establishing milestones and indicators, and implementing monitoring plans—the U.S. government cannot effectively demonstrate the impact of its financial assistance to Mexico. This raises concerns about the overall effectiveness and accountability of the over $3 billion in US money allocated to Mexico since 2008. To ensure that these substantial investments are yielding the intended results and are being used efficiently, a comprehensive and measurable framework for assessing progress is essential. This framework must incorporate all key elements for assessing progress to provide a clear picture of whether the US is achieving its bi-national security and rule-of-law objectives in Mexico.
