Mexico, US strike new security accord

Mexico received a US delegation led by Secretary of state Anthony Blinken and secured a new deal on social and security challenges.

Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard said the focal points are to protect the people of both countries, fight border criminal activity and dismantle criminal networks.

"The relationship between our governments is broad and complex … maintaining that relationship and strengthening it requires constant and honest dialogue at all levels. We must take advantage of opportunities and adapt to new challenges, and that is exactly what we did today in the high-level dialogue,” Blinken said at a news conference.

The multidisciplinary effort to tackle challenges will end the current "Merida Initiative," a security agreement launched in 2008 during US President George Bush and Mexico's Felipe Calderon administrations where Washington provided military training and equipment to Mexico's armed forces to fight organized crime.