It’s official. Hillary Clinton, U.S. Secretary of State, has come and gone after a whirlwind drug war strategy marathon with President Calderon and her Mexican counterpart, Patrica Espinosa. I’ve got to admit, I wasn’t sure what to expect, time’s been ticking, it was make or break.

The anticipation was excruciating as foreign press and critics continue to crucify President Calderon’s strategies at every corner, but alas, wisdom has spoken, Hillary has spoken.

I’ve got to tell you; I like this woman, Hillary. First off, she set the record straight. We are not a failing state, we might be staggering a bit, but under the circumstances, you can not consider us out for the count. She seems tough, secure, and well informed. She has guts, hell, anyone who willingly rides here in the back of an open Federal police truck has some pretty big cajones, in my book. She zips in, lays it on the line, makes a plan and back she goes. No bullshit, no games; just facts and strategies.

After meeting with President Calderon, Clinton vowed Washington would support Mexico’s war against drugs, corruption and violence. She also admitted to shared responsibility in Mexico’s blood stained, deadly unrest.

The criminals and kingpins spreading violence are trying to corrode the foundations of law, order, friendship and trust between us and that support our continent. They will fail.- Hillary Clinton

After praising Calderon’s Operation Clean House, an internal crackdown on corrupt political, judicial, and law enforcement officials, Mrs. Clinton stated:

We will stand shoulder to shoulder with you.- Hillary Clinton

After what seemed to be a sigh of relief, President Calderon assured his confidence in this new bilateral cooperation. It shows a breaking away of past U.S. concepts which involved “aiding Mexico where Mexico is failing”. President Calderon praised what he termed:

the first steps in terms of co-responsibility between the two countries in the fight against organized crime.-President Calderon

During her visit in Los Pinos, Hillary Clinton announced President Obama, working closely with the U.S. Congress, intends to provide more than $80 million U.S. dollars in urgently needed funding for Mexican law enforcement to buy U.S. made Blackhawk helicopters.

These aircraft will help Mexican police respond aggressively and successfully to the threats coming from the cartels.-Hillary Clinton

More than 6000 lives were lost in Mexico’s drug war in 2008 and almost 1300 have been lost in this new year. Clinton aknowledged on her plane flight to Mexico City that the United States must accept it’s share of blame for the conflict.

Our insatiable demand for illegal drugs fuels the drug trade. Our inability to prevent weapons from being illegally smuggled across the border to arm these criminals causes the deaths of police officers, soldiers and civilians. So yes, I feel very strongly we have a co-responsibility, and part of what we are trying to do is not only acknowledge that but working with the Mexicans to create very best possible responses. It’s not only guns, it’s night-vision goggles, it’s body armor. These criminals are outgunning law enforcement officials with military style equipment. And since we know that the vast majority, 90 percent of that (weaponry), comes from our country, we’re going to try to stop it from getting there in the first place. -Hillary Clinton

Clinton left Mexico with a promise to continue accelerating efforts to deliver Mexico hardware such as helicoptors, radars, scanners, and other needed equipment, promised under the Merida Initiative, aimed at tackling drug trafficking In Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean.

Mexico’s Secretary of State, Patricia Espinosa, welcomed the new American cooperation after recalling how Mexico raised concerns years ago about the flow of weapons and cash directly to the Mexican drug cartels from the United States.

It’s time to place our cards on the table, all cards. We need truths, realities, and strategies. No more He said, She said, no more pointing fingers, no more words. We need action; now.

We recognize very much these efforts that are now being undertaken by the US authorities. There’s room for improvement here and there’s room for improvement in the US.”- Patricia Espinosa, Mexican Secretary of State

It’s not going to be an easy ride, even with U.S. cooperation, that is guarenteed, but it is necessary. Bilateral cooperation is necessary to protect the lives, liberties, and sovereignties within both nations.