S-1780 : Still Just a Bill

The "Mexico Security Assistance Accountability Act" (S. 1780) mandates that the Secretary of State submit a comprehensive strategy to Congress within 180 days of its enactment. This strategy will outline United States security assistance to Mexico and is designed to:

• Dismantle transnational criminal networks involved in illicit drug trafficking (including fentanyl), human trafficking, weapons trafficking, cybercrimes, money laundering, and the importation of precursor chemicals.
• Enhance the capacity of Mexico's military and public security institutions to improve security at both its northern and southern borders and to degrade transnational criminal organizations.
• Strengthen the institutional capacity of civilian law enforcement, prosecutors, and courts to uphold the rule of law, address public corruption related to transnational criminal organizations, and combat impunity.

The strategy must include detailed plans for implementation, a summary of involved government and non-governmental organizations, and specific priorities, milestones, and performance measures for monitoring results. The bill also requires an overview of bilateral cooperation mechanisms between the U.S. and Mexican governments and mandates annual briefings to Congress on the strategy's implementation. Importantly, this Act explicitly states that nothing within it may be construed as an authorization for the use of military force against Mexico or any entity within Mexico.