Summary of the Action Plan for U.S.-Mexico Bicentennial Framework for Security, Public Health, and Safe Communities

As the United States and Mexico enter our two hundredth year of diplomatic relations, we are bringing a new focus and approach to addressing our common challenges.  During the October 2021 High-Level Security Dialogue (HLSD) launch, the United States and Mexico opened a new era in security cooperation based on partnership and guided by shared responsibility.  The United States and Mexico are committed to transforming our cooperation to better protect the health and safety of our citizens and promote the development of the most vulnerable communities in both countries, prevent criminal organizations from harming our countries, and pursue and bring criminals to justice.  The action plan is driven by a national security interest in both countries to stop criminal groups that smuggle the illicit drugs and weapons that threaten the health and safety of our citizens, engage in migrant smuggling, and exploit individuals through human trafficking.  The U.S.-Mexico Bicentennial Framework for Security, Public Heath, and Safe Communities establishes a comprehensive, long-term approach for binational actions to pursue the safety and security of our societies.

During a January 31 meeting, the U.S. and Mexican governments discussed a common approach to advance joint objectives and evaluate and communicate the impact of our cooperation to the American and Mexican people as we operationalize the Bicentennial Framework.

The goals and objectives of our cooperation will be:

GOAL 1. PROTECT OUR PEOPLE 

The United States and Mexico seek to build sustainable, healthy, and secure communities to benefit citizens of both nations. 

Cooperation Area 1.1:  Public Health

Joint objective 1.1.1:  Promote evidence-based public health policy to address substance use disorders and associated harms.

Joint objective 1.1.2:  Provide comprehensive, community-based care for people with substance use disorders to reduce the associated harm and promote recovery in both countries.

Cooperation Area 1.2:  Support for safer communities  

Joint objective 1.2.1: Strengthen and enhance violence prevention and community outreach policing to foster peaceful communities.

Joint objective 1.2.2: Promote human rights and protect vulnerable populations.

Cooperation Area 1.3:  Reduce homicides and high-impact crimes  

Joint objective 1.3.1:  Strengthen institutional and law enforcement capacity to prevent and respond to homicides and related crimes.

Joint objective 1.3.2: Reduce impunity for homicides and related crimes.

GOAL 2.  PREVENT TRANSBORDER CRIME 

The United States and Mexico seek to diminish the capacity of Transnational Criminal Organizations (TCOs) and prevent trafficking of drugs, arms, and wildlife, migrant smuggling, and trafficking in persons.

Cooperation Area 2.1:  Secure modes of travel and commerce

Joint objective 2.1.1:  Improve integration of customs information systems to expedite lawful trade and travel and strengthen security.

Joint objective 2.1.2:  Strengthen oversight and coordination at land ports of entry and between ports of entry along the U.S.-Mexico Border.

Joint objective 2.1.3:  Strengthen oversight and coordination at airports of entry.

Joint objective 2.1.4:  Strengthen oversight and coordination at maritime ports of entry.

Joint objective 2.1.5:  Strengthen oversight and coordination of cross-border parcels and e-Commerce.

Cooperation Area 2.2:  Reduce illicit firearms trafficking

Joint objective 2.2.1:  Increase efforts to reduce the illicit trafficking of firearms, ammunition, and explosive devices.

Joint objective 2.2.2:  Increase bilateral information sharing on illicit firearms trafficking.

Joint objective 2.2.3:  Increase investigative and prosecutorial capacity to address illicit firearms trafficking.

Cooperation Area 2.3:  Disrupt the capacity of TCOs and their illicit supply chains

Joint objective 2.3.1:  Disrupt and dismantle narcotics production.

Joint objective 2.3.2:  Reduce the capacity of TCOs to distribute and sell controlled substances.

Joint objective 2.3.3:  Strengthen and expand regulatory and law enforcement capacity to address the trafficking of synthetic drugs and precursors.

Cooperation Area 2.4:  Reduce human trafficking and migrant smuggling

Joint objective 2.4.1:  Identify, target, and dismantle migrant smuggling and human trafficking organizations via investigations, interdictions, and prosecutions.

Joint objective 2.4.2:  Strengthen the legal regime regarding migrant smuggling and human trafficking and expand the sharing of biometric information in the region.

GOAL 3: PURSUE CRIMINAL NETWORKS 

Disrupt TCO financial networks and reduce their ability to profit from illicit activities both transnationally and in cyberspace.

Cooperation Area 3.1: Disrupt illicit financiers

Joint objective 3.1.1: Increase bilateral cooperation to disrupt illicit financial networks.

Joint objective 3.1.2:  Build the capacity to investigate and prosecute financial crimes, related corruption, and transnational criminal organizations.

Joint objective 3.1.3: Expand information sharing and develop community of expertise to modernize approaches to disrupt illicit finance.

Joint objective 3.1.4: Improve legal and regulatory frameworks to better enable effective targeting, seizure, and sanctioning of criminal networks and their illicit finances

Cooperation Area 3.2: Strengthen capacity of security and justice sector actors to investigate and prosecute organized crime. 

Joint objective 3.2.1: Strengthen the capacity of security and justice sector actors to reduce impunity for crime and protect human rights.

Cooperation Area 3.3: Increase cooperation to address shared threats in cyberspace.  

Joint objective 3.3.1: Increase cooperation to address shared threats in cyberspace.

Cooperation Area 3.4: Increase cooperation in extradition matters. 

Joint objective 3.4.1: Increase extradition cooperation to facilitate the timely prosecution of TCO members and high priority crimes.