The levels of drug trafficking and organized crime activity along the U.S.-Mexico border have significantly increased over the last decade, fueled by a northward flow of illegal drugs and a southward flow of money and weapons. The shared acknowledgment of the gravity of this crisis has opened the door for the U.S. and Mexican governments to develop a new frame-work for their bilateral security cooperation and to strengthen their efforts against drug trafficking and organized crime. This study intends to provide an initial assessment of the current bilateral efforts against drug trafficking and organized crime, or in a broader sense, of U.S.-Mexico security cooperation. Despite the successes achieved through the coordinated efforts, it is too early to draw the conclusion that the current framework for U.S.-Mexico security cooperation in these areas is effective and efficient. This study will draw attention to some potential obstacles to the further successful operation of U.S.-Mexico bilateral security strategies and present ask for the bring-in of some practical and more crucial components into the existing cooperation framework.

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