Boston, Massachusetts, August 5, 2019 – During its Summer Conference, the American Correctional Association (ACA) formally reaccredited 12 Mexican prisons, and accredited, for the first time, a Federal Prison in Coahuila, all of which had received support from the Merida Initiative. Additionally, three correctional facilities in Chihuahua independently achieved reaccreditation. With this announcement, 98 Mexican …
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By U.S. Mission to Mexico | 5 August, 2019 | Topics: Merida Initiative, Press Releases, U.S. & Mexico, U.S. Agencies
Huntsville, Alabama, May 4, 2019 – With support from the Merida Initiative, the University of Security Sciences of Nuevo Leon, the Center for Capacity Building, Training and Research for the Security of the State of Queretaro (CECAFIS), and the Communications Center C5 of Sonora successfully earned accreditation from the prestigious Commission on Accreditation for Law …
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By U.S. Mission to Mexico | 4 May, 2019 | Topics: Law Enforcement, Merida Initiative, Press Releases, U.S. Agencies
Merida, March 15, 2019 – The U.S. Embassy in Mexico supported the creation of the first Accreditation Coalition for Public Security Institutions of Mexico (CAISPMEX), announced today in Merida, Yucatan. CAISPMEX will ensure that the work undertaken by public security agencies in Mexico towards accreditation will be sustainable, provide a forum for discussing best practices, …
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By U.S. Mission to Mexico | 15 March, 2019 | Topics: Law Enforcement, Merida Initiative, News, U.S. Agencies
Mexico City, November 7, 2018 – Today the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA) inaugurated its first accreditation meeting in Mexico with the support of the Merida Initiative. The U.S. Embassy, through the Police Foundation, supports the accreditation of Mexican law enforcement agencies by CALEA. There are currently 26 state law enforcement agencies, …
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By U.S. Mission to Mexico | 7 November, 2018 | Topics: Merida Initiative, News, Press Releases | Tags: Federal Police
Mexico City, September 27th, 2018 – The Chargé d’Affaires of the U.S. Embassy in Mexico, John S. Creamer, inaugurated today the first National Conference on Internal Affairs. Internal Affairs units investigate possible violations to the disciplinary regime of the police forces. The conference will help standardize processes, share experiences, and exchange best practices in support …
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By U.S. Mission to Mexico | 27 September, 2018 | Topics: Chargé D’Affaires, Merida Initiative, News, U.S. & Mexico, U.S. Agencies
PRINCIPAL DEPUTY ASSISTANT ATTORNEY GENERAL JOHN P. CRONAN OF THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT’S CRIMINAL DIVISION DELIVERS REMARKS AT THE SECOND ANNUAL FORENSIC SCIENCE SYMPOSIUM Remarks as prepared for delivery Good morning. It truly is an honor to join you today to open the Second Annual International Forensic Science Symposium. Everyone here knows the significance of this …
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By U.S. Mission to Mexico | 20 August, 2018 | Topics: Merida Initiative, News, U.S. & Mexico
Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo, August 17, 2018 – Yesterday, a group of more than 200 police officers successfully completed the certification process for the Certificado Unico Policial (CUP) certification program. These officers are among the first in Mexico to receive the certification, although the government plans to eventually require it of every member of a police force in …
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By U.S. Mission to Mexico | 17 August, 2018 | Topics: Law Enforcement, Merida Initiative, News
Weeklong program of events for Mexico’s justice sector advances consolidation of the accusatory criminal justice system Mexico City, March 9, 2018 — Today is the culmination of a weeklong program of events organized under the Merida Initiative, including conferences, interdisciplinary exchanges, and fora for U.S. and Mexican criminal justice sector actors. Throughout the week U.S. federal judges …
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By U.S. Mission to Mexico | 9 March, 2018 | Topics: Ambassador, Merida Initiative, News, Press Releases, U.S. Agencies | Tags: Ambassador Jacobson, Merida Initiative
Mexico City, February 13, 2018 – Last week, in an example ofNorth American security collaboration against the threat of fentanyl, the governments of the United States, Mexico and Canada joined together to provide fentanyl detection training to Mexican Tax and Customs Agency (SAT) and Federal Police officials along with their canine law enforcement partners. The …
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By U.S. Mission to Mexico | 14 February, 2018 | Topics: Merida Initiative, U.S. & Mexico, U.S. Agencies
Orlando, Florida, 8 January, 2018 — At their 2018 Winter Conference, the American Correctional Association (ACA) formally accredited 11 Mexican penitentiary institutions, including the central offices of the Guanajuato State Prisons Commission, and re-accredited another two facilities. With this announcement, the number of internationally accredited Mexican penitentiary institutions totals 81, making Mexico the leader outside …
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By U.S. Mission to Mexico | 8 January, 2018 | Topics: Law Enforcement, Merida Initiative, Press Releases, U.S. Agencies | Tags: penitentiaries
Cancun, Quintana Roo, Friday, December 8, 2017 – Representatives from the U.S. Embassy in Mexico shared plans to support the expansion of therapeutic justice throughout Mexico under the Merida Initiative. The proposals were aired during this week’s CIJ Congress on Addictions which is taking place simultaneously with the ISSUP Conference in Quintana Roo, Cancun. The announcement comes …
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By U.S. Mission to Mexico | 8 December, 2017 | Topics: Merida Initiative, News, Press Releases, U.S. & Mexico | Tags: DTC, SESNSO
This week, over 2,500 global experts are gathering in Mexico to discuss cutting edge techniques to reduce demand for illegal drugs and improve treatment. Doctors, scientists, academics, policymakers, drug treatment practitioners, and officials from over 65 countries – in addition to the United Nations, Organization of American States, World Health Organization, and other international organizations …
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By U.S. Mission to Mexico | 4 December, 2017 | Topics: Merida Initiative, News, Press Releases, U.S. & Mexico
Mexico City, September 12, 2017 – The United States Government, through the Mérida Initiative, delivered 25 detection canines to Mexican law enforcement agencies in nine Mexican states between August 30-September 1, 2017. Under the Mérida Initiative, the U.S. government sponsored training in the United States for the canines and their handlers in the detection of weapons, narcotics, …
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By U.S. Mission to Mexico | 12 September, 2017 | Topics: Consulates, Merida Initiative, News, U.S. & Mexico | Tags: detection dogs
Mexico City, August 28, 2017—The Mexican Association of Universities and Higher Learning Institutions (ANUIES) and the U.S. Embassy in Mexico through its Agency for International Development (USAID) launched the program Harnessing the Will to Professionalize and Certify Criminal Justice System Operators and Communicators, in an effort to strengthen law enforcement in Mexico.
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By U.S. Mission to Mexico | 28 August, 2017 | Topics: Ambassador, Merida Initiative, News, Press Releases, U.S. & Mexico, U.S. Agencies | Tags: Ambassador Jacobson, ANUIES, USAID
Fifteen Mexican Penitentiaries recognized for Internationally-Compliant Operations at Corrections Conference St Louis, Missouri, 20 August, 2017 — The American Correctional Association (ACA) formally accredited today 12 Mexican penitentiary institutions, including the central offices of the Federal Prisons Commission, for the first time, and re-accredited another three. Since 2009, the ACA has accredited 70 Mexican …
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By U.S. Mission to Mexico | 21 August, 2017 | Topics: Government Offices, Law Enforcement, Merida Initiative, News, Press Releases, U.S. & Mexico, U.S. Agencies | Tags: ACA, Merida Initiative
First National Forensic Sciences Symposium promotes greater collaboration between justice sector actors in support of Mexico’s accusatory criminal justice system Mexico City, August 7, 2017 – The first National Forensic Sciences Symposium in Mexico opened today. Nearly 200 forensic laboratory directors, quality assurance managers and technical leaders, as well as several State Attorney Generals, from Mexico’s …
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By U.S. Mission to Mexico | 7 August, 2017 | Topics: Law Enforcement, Merida Initiative, News, Press Releases, U.S. & Mexico, U.S. Agencies | Tags: Forensic Medicine., National Forensic Sciences Symposium
Remarks by Ambassador Jacobson at the Launching of the Blue Heart Campaign 2.0 “#AQUÍ ESTOY” Against Trafficking in Persons Good Afternoon. Secretary Osorio Chong, Mr. Brandolino, President of CONAGO, Miguel Ángel Mancera, Distinguished members of the presidium, Welcome to all and thank you for the invitation and your presence here today. As we commemorate …
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By U.S. Mission to Mexico | 31 July, 2017 | Topics: Ambassador, Featured Event, Human Rights, Merida Initiative, News, Speeches, U.S. & Mexico, U.S. Agencies | Tags: Ambassador Jacobson, Ambassador Speech, Blue Heart Campaign 2.0, World Day Against Trafficking in Persons
Mérida, Yucatan, July 28, 2017 – Today, the Yucatan State Attorney General formally recognized a group of 60 forensic scientists and police officers who completed a training course in Crime Scene Investigation (CSI), a collaborative effort by the governments of the United States of America and Mexico under the Mérida Initiative. Yucatán is the first state in …
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By U.S. Mission to Mexico | 28 July, 2017 | Topics: Law Enforcement, Merida Initiative, News, Press Releases, U.S. & Mexico | Tags: Crime Scene Investigation (CSI)
Puebla, July 7, 2017 – A ceremony today commemorated the international accreditation of the forensic laboratories of the Puebla Attorney General’s office, granted by the ANSI-ASQ National Accreditation Board (ANAB). The laboratories accredited were: Genetics, Ballistics, Chemistry, Questioned Documents and CSI. Puebla is the first state in Mexico to achieve ANAB accreditation of its forensic …
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By U.S. Mission to Mexico | 7 July, 2017 | Topics: Law Enforcement, Merida Initiative, U.S. & Mexico, U.S. Agencies | Tags: laboratories
Call for proposals. New criminal justice system, human rights and citizenship in Chihuahua Closing Date and Time for Submission of Applications: July 21, 2017, 11:59 PM Mountain Standard Time The Public Affairs Section of the U.S. Consulate General in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico and the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) invite all eligible …
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By U.S. Mission to Mexico | 30 June, 2017 | Topics: Ciudad Juarez, Merida Initiative, Public Affairs
Mexico City, June 26, 2017 – Talented law students from two universities in Mexico compete this week in the Championship of Champions mock trial showdown at American University in Washington, D.C. Under the Mérida Initiative, the Department of State funds programs to develop oral advocacy skills amongst university professors and students through workshops and mock …
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By U.S. Mission to Mexico | 26 June, 2017 | Topics: Law Enforcement, Merida Initiative, News, Press Releases, U.S. & Mexico | Tags: “Championship of Champions”, American Bar Association Rule of Law Initiative, law
Monterrey, Mexico- With nearly one hundred journalists from six Mexican states, the Network of Journalists of Northeast Mexico and the U.S. Consulate General in Monterrey hosted the second meeting of journalists held June 23-25, 2017 in Monterrey. The three-day interactive workshop included professional trainings and was sponsored by the Merida Initiative office of the U.S. …
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By U.S. Mission to Mexico | 26 June, 2017 | Topics: Events, Merida Initiative, Monterrey, Public Affairs | Tags: Free the press
Good morning everyone. I am very sorry I cannot be physically present with you today, but I know you are in very good company: Mr. Renato Sales, and Jose Alberto Rodriguez Calderon, the hosts of this conference. Events like these that bring together different actors of the penitentiary system with others of similar interests are …
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By U.S. Mission to Mexico | 22 June, 2017 | Topics: Ambassador, Featured Event, Merida Initiative, Speeches, U.S. & Mexico, U.S. Agencies | Tags: Ambassador Jacobson, Ambassador Speech
Under the Merida Initiative, the United States Embassy together with the Secretariado Ejecutivo del Sistema Nacional de Seguridad Pública and the Secretaria de Gobernacion hosted the first National Meeting of Public Security Academies and Police Training Institutes. Directors from federal, regional and state police academies joined regional experts to discuss themes related to police professionalization, …
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By U.S. Mission to Mexico | 6 June, 2017 | Topics: Law Enforcement, Merida Initiative, News, U.S. & Mexico | Tags: ethics, international collaboration, marshall services, police officers, public trust, training
Mexico City, May 16, 2017 – The first National Fentanyl Conference for Forensic Chemists opened today in Mexico City. With it comes the recognition of the potential dangers of fentanyl, not only for users but also those responsible for detecting and managing the drug, as well as the need for continued collaboration between countries affected …
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By U.S. Mission to Mexico | 16 May, 2017 | Topics: Ambassador, Merida Initiative, News, U.S. & Mexico, U.S. Agencies | Tags: Alberto Elías Beltrán, Ambassador Jacobson, fentanyl. law enforcement, Merida Initia, Merida Initiative
Mexico City, March 10, 2017 – Today, the U.S. government donated to Government of Mexico security forces nearly $900,000 USD of specialized personal protective equipment including coveralls, gloves and masks that will help to safely dismantle and destroy clandestine narcotics labs. The equipment will be distributed to security forces along the Pacific coast, where the …
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By U.S. Mission to Mexico | 10 March, 2017 | Topics: Merida Initiative, News, Press Releases, U.S. Agencies
Mexico City, December 22, 2016 – On December 20, 2016, President Enrique Peña Nieto approved an amendment to the Professionalization Program (Programa Rector de Profesionalización) of the National Public Safety Secretariat (SESNSP by its Spanish acronym). Under the amendment, criminal information analysts will be recognized by the courts as expert witnesses and will assist in …
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By U.S. Mission to Mexico | 22 December, 2016 | Topics: Law Enforcement, Merida Initiative, Press Releases | Tags: Ambassador Jacobson, criminal information, Merida Initiative
Under the Merida Initiative, the U.S. Consulate General in Monterrey and the Attorney General of the State of Nuevo Leon (PGJ) conducted the closing ceremony on December 9, 2016 for an analysis and processing of the crime scene training for over 190 Mexican investigation experts within the Attorney General’s Institute of Criminology and Forensic Services. …
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By U.S. Mission to Mexico | 12 December, 2016 | Topics: Events, Law Enforcement, Merida Initiative, Monterrey, Public Affairs
Mexico City, 30 November, 2016 – Four months after the official launch, the Executive Secretariat of the National Public Security System (SESNSP by its Spanish acronym) marked the completion of the Instructor Training Course for Criminal Investigation under the New Accusatory Criminal Justice System with a ceremony held at La Muralla Police and Forensics Training …
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By U.S. Mission to Mexico | 30 November, 2016 | Topics: Merida Initiative, News, Press Releases, U.S. & Mexico, U.S. Agencies | Tags: Criminal Investigation Procedures, Criminal Justice System, police training
The “Nueva Generación de Abogados” video series highlights the experiences of two teams of university students from the Law Faculty of the University of Guanajuato and from the Colegio Jurista, Morelos who travelled to Washington, D.C. in the summer of 2016 to compete in the “Championship of Champions”, moot court competition. As the 2016 winners …
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By U.S. Mission to Mexico | 25 November, 2016 | Topics: Education, Law Enforcement, Merida Initiative | Tags: California Western School of Law, Merida Initiative, moot court competitions, oral litigation, Rule of Law
Mexico City, October 18, 2016 — Last weekend, Ambassador William R. Brownfield, Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL), and representatives from INL Mexico attended the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) Conference in San Diego. At the conference, Assistant Secretary Brownfield met with National Security …
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By U.S. Mission to Mexico | 19 October, 2016 | Topics: Merida Initiative, U.S. & Mexico, U.S. Agencies | Tags: Brownfield, IACP, Merida Initiative, police professionalization., Sales
Tijuana, Baja California, September 9, 2016 — Deputy Assistant Secretary Daniel S. Foote from the State Department’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) today completed a two-day visit to Tijuana where he visited the CERESO El Hongo II state penitentiary facility and the La Mesa courthouse, Tijuana. Both CERESO El Hongo II and the …
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By U.S. Mission to Mexico | 9 September, 2016 | Topics: Law Enforcement, Merida Initiative, Tijuana, U.S. Agencies
Boston, MA, Monday, 8 August, 2016 — Twelve Mexican correctional facilities were today presented with certificates recognizing their international accreditation by the American Correctional Association (ACA) during the organization’s Conference of Correction, hosted in this U.S. city from August 5th to 10th. A further five Mexican correctional facilities were presented with re-accreditation certificates, demonstrating their …
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By vazquezv | 8 August, 2016 | Topics: Law Enforcement, Merida Initiative, Press Releases | Tags: CEFERESO, correctional
Mexico City, July 27, 2016 – Edomex, Nuevo León, Colima, Coahuila, Jalisco, Michoacan and Campeche launched Criminal Investigation Instructor Courses for police investigators, part of a national program to create a cadre of criminal investigation instructors. Officials from the United States Embassy and U.S. Consulates in Mexico joined inauguration events for the program in Toluca, …
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By Embajada de Estados Unidos en México | 27 July, 2016 | Topics: Merida Initiative, News, Press Releases
Under Mexico’s new accusatory criminal justice system, professional and effective criminal investigations are critical to the success of law enforcement efforts and criminal prosecutions. Forensic sciences are a fundamental part of any criminal investigation, encompassing the collection, preservation and analysis of evidence. Furthermore, forensic scientists may be called upon to testify as expert witnesses during …
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By Embajada de Estados Unidos en México | 25 July, 2016 | Topics: Merida Initiative, U.S. & Mexico, U.S. Agencies, Uncategorized
Monterrey, May 31, 2016 – The Consulate General Monterrey and the Government of Nuevo León celebrated the graduation of 113 students who participated in the strategic training plan for the State of Nuevo León. Governor Jaime Rodriguez Calderón and Consul General Timothy Zúñiga-Brown led the graduation ceremony. The training courses included basic police skills, first …
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By carrillod2 | 1 June, 2016 | Topics: Merida Initiative, Monterrey, News
On May 12-13, 2016 the Conference of Western Attorneys General (CWAG) hosted its Forum on Oral Trials, attracting close to 400 members of the legal profession from San Luis Potosí including personnel from the Attorney General’s office, the Public Defender’s office, law school students and faculty, bar associations, and private attorneys. Senior litigators from the …
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By carrillod2 | 17 May, 2016 | Topics: Law Enforcement, Merida Initiative, Monterrey, News
On April 28, NGO Programa Educación en Valores A.C. held Expo Valores 2016. Around 7,000 children, parents and teachers from 39 schools in Ciudad Juarez attended the event and learned about the importance of fostering a culture of lawfulness. Programa Educación en Valores maintains contact with these schools every month through educational and recreational activities …
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By munozp | 28 April, 2016 | Topics: Ciudad Juarez, Consul General, Culture, Education, Events, Merida Initiative, News, Press Releases
Merida, Friday, 22 April, 2016 — Courtney Mazzone, International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Officer from the U.S. Embassy in Mexico, spoke today about the United States’ collaboration with Mexico to improve jails and prisons across the country during her participation at the South East Regional Conference on the Penitentiary System in Mérida. Under the Mérida …
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By Embajada de Estados Unidos en México | 22 April, 2016 | Topics: Law Enforcement, Merida, Merida Initiative, News, Political Affairs, Press Releases, U.S. & Mexico, U.S. Agencies | Tags: ACA, Merida Initiative
Victoria de Durango, Durango, April 1 2016 – The formal inauguration ceremony to mark the 100th courtroom equipped under the Mérida Initiative took place earlier today in Victoria de Durango in the presence of top Mexican officials including Jorge Herrera Caldera, Governor of Durango; Dra. María de los Ángeles Fromow Rangel, Technical Secretary, Technical Secretariat …
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By Embajada de Estados Unidos en México | 1 April, 2016 | Topics: Law Enforcement, Merida Initiative, News, Political Affairs, Press Releases, U.S. Agencies
Mexico City, March 2, 2016 – Ambassador William R. Brownfield, Assistant Secretary for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) at the U.S. Department of State, and Michael Botticelli, Director of National Drug Control Policy, visited Mexico City March 1-2 to discuss issues of common interest, including ways to stop the illegal flow of narcotics …
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By Embajada de Estados Unidos en México | 3 March, 2016 | Topics: Law Enforcement, Merida Initiative, Political Affairs, Press Releases, U.S. & Mexico, U.S. Agencies
Reynosa, Tamaulipas, January 22, 2016 – Officials from the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City and the U.S. Consulate General in Matamoros yesterday concluded assessments of State correctional facilities in Matamoros and Reynosa. They later shared their findings with Nora Angelica Balderrama Cano, Under-Secretary for the Tamaulipas State Penal System. These visits are an important step …
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By vazquezv | 22 January, 2016 | Topics: Law Enforcement, Matamoros, Merida Initiative, Press Releases | Tags: ACA, American Correctional Association, correctional facilities, Merida Initiative
August 13, 2015 – With the goal of promoting theoretical and practical tools for those responsible of the design and implementation of programs on crime and violence prevention in Mexico, Mexico’s Ministry of the Interior (SEGOB) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) present a catalog of 20 publications, the product of the …
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By munozp | 13 August, 2015 | Topics: Ciudad Juarez, Merida Initiative, News, Press Releases, U.S. Agencies
June 15, 2015 – The U.S. Embassy in Mexico City officially launched the Merida Initiative’s National Program for the Professionalization of the State and Municipal Police in four states – Queretaro, Guanajuato, Durango and Chihuahua. This program supports the efforts of the Government of Mexico to train members of the police and ensure that they …
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By munozp | 15 June, 2015 | Topics: Ambassador, Ciudad Juarez, Merida Initiative, News, Press Releases, U.S. & Mexico
June 10, 2015 – On June 10, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) presented certificates to partners and implementing organizations of USAID programs in Ciudad Juarez. As part of the Merida Initiative, the governments of the United States and Mexico work together to contribute to the formation of strong and resilient communities. Ciudadanos …
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By munozp | 10 June, 2015 | Topics: Ciudad Juarez, Consul General, Merida Initiative, Press Releases, U.S. Agencies
WASHINGTON, D.C., May 20, 2015 – Today during a ceremony at the White House, National Drug Control Policy Director Michael Botticelli honored Nora Gallegos as an “Advocate for Action.” Every year, the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy recognizes leaders who are making a difference in their communities through advocacy or direct services. …
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By U.S. Mission to Mexico | 20 May, 2015 | Topics: Ciudad Juarez, Merida Initiative, News, Press Releases, Success Stories
On April 22, 2015, the civil association Ciudadanos Organizados para el Desarrollo Integral de las Comunidades (CODIC) held Sharing experiences and building trust, at which 1,200 children, parents and teachers from different schools learned about the importance of fostering a culture of lawfulness through the correct use of tip lines and the correct way to …
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By munozp | 22 April, 2015 | Topics: Ciudad Juarez, Merida Initiative, Press Releases
April 16, 2015 – Today Emprendete Juarez celebrated the graduation of 88 young people attending employability workshops, which were conducted in five community centers in Ciudad Juarez under the program Youth: Work Mexico. Empréndete Juárez is currently the implementing organization for Youth: Work Mexico in Ciudad Juarez. The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and …
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By munozp | 16 April, 2015 | Topics: Ciudad Juarez, Merida Initiative, Press Releases
Ciudad Juárez, November 7, 2014 – Consul General Ian Brownlee attended the opening ceremony of the first Drug Treatment Court (DTC) in the state of Chihuahua. Presided over by Chihuahua Health Secretary representing the Governor Pedro Hernandez Torres, the Commissioner of the National Commission against Addictions Manuel Mondragón y Kalb and the Undersecretary for Violence …
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By munozp | 7 November, 2014 | Topics: Ciudad Juarez, Consul General, Merida Initiative, Press Releases