US, Mexico launch joint initiative to tackle cross-border gun trafficking

MEXICO CITY (Reuters) -The United States and Mexico launched a new bilateral initiative aimed at disrupting the flow of illicit firearms across their shared border, the U.S. State Department said on Saturday.

The announcement came during the inaugural meeting of the U.S.-Mexico Security Implementation Group, formed earlier this month during Secretary Rubio's visit to Mexico to enhance joint action against narcotrafficking and arms smuggling.

As part of the new initiative, Mexico will expand its use of U.S. tracing tools such as eTrace and ballistic imaging technology to all 32 states, while both countries will increase joint investigations, prosecutions, and intelligence sharing, the department said.

The initiative also calls for deeper bilateral investigations, more prosecutions, and a ramp-up of U.S. inspections to stop the southbound smuggling of weapons — a key enabler of cartel violence in Mexico.

"For the first time, the U.S. & Mexico are implementing joint inspections, real-time info-sharing, and expanded investigations to stop weapons fueling cartels. Historic cooperation to protect both nations," United States Ambassador to Mexico Ronald Johnson said on social media.

(Reporting by Natalia Siniawski, Editing by Franklin Paul)

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