"We're not talking about alms here," says ambassador as he hands over the keys

The comment was made this morning by U.S. ambassador to Mexico Anthony Wayne, as his government turned over another new Black Hawk helicopter to Mexico. The $20 million state-of-the-art UH-60M combat aircraft is equipped with the latest technology for night surveillance, and is capable of other special operations as well.


"This isn't just a gift, it represents our commitment to an alliance between two nations," noted Wayne at the formal hand-over ceremony. Such events are always accompanied by speeches from Mexican and U.S. officials, and this one was no exception. Military music and displays of sharply dressed troops marked the latest transfer.

The U.S. has already given Mexico's security forces 14 other helicopters, three of them Black Hawks. Last week ambassador Wayne presided at a ceremony in which an airplane and additional military hardware were delivered. According to the State Dept., the U.S. has now given Mexico almost $900 million in equipment and training of the $1.6 billion which it promised under the 2008 Mérida Initiative. About 50,000 Mexican police and security personnel are said to have been trained in anti-drug trafficking strategies and techniques.

Mexico outspends U.S. 13-1 on Mérida Initiative funding: http://mexicogulfreporter.blogspot.com/2011/12/mexican-investment-in-narco-war-almost.html.