Mexico Security Assistance Accountability Act
The Mexico Security Assistance Accountability Act would require the U.S. Secretary of State to develop and submit a comprehensive strategy for U.S. security assistance to Mexico, with detailed plans, activities, and performance measures, and to keep Congress regularly informed. Within 180 days of enactment, the Secretary must provide an unclassified report outlining how U.S. security aid will dismantle transnational criminal networks (including fentanyl trafficking) and other crimes, boost Mexico’s military, public security institutions, and civilian-law-enforcement capacity, and strengthen the rule of law and anti-corruption efforts. The bill also requires a detailed implementation plan, a listing of participating U.S. and Mexican entities and NGOs, and clear milestones and performance metrics. It mandates ongoing bilateral reporting and annual briefings to Congress on progress, while explicitly stating that nothing in the act authorizes the use of military force against Mexico. The overall goal is to increase congressional oversight and accountability for U.S. security assistance tied to Mexico.
Key Points
- 1Strategic planning requirement: Not later than 180 days after enactment, the Secretary of State must submit a strategy to Congress detailing how U.S. security assistance will address narcotics and related crime, bolster Mexico’s security institutions, and improve civilian rule-of-law capabilities.
- 2Three-part strategy focus:
- 3- Dismantle transnational criminal networks that traffic drugs (including fentanyl) and engage in related crimes such as human trafficking, weapons trafficking, cybercrime, money laundering, and precursor chemical trafficking.
- 4- Increase capacity of Mexico’s military and public security institutions to secure borders and degrade criminal organizations.
- 5- Strengthen civilian law enforcement, prosecutors, and courts to bolster the rule of law, address corruption, and combat impunity.
- 6Implementation and accountability: The strategy must include a detailed implementation plan with government and NGO participants, and a detailed set of priorities, milestones, and performance measures to monitor results.
- 7Bilateral cooperation overview: The report should cover bilateral mechanisms and engagements with Mexico (diplomatic, security assistance, technical assistance, and other cooperation).
- 8Transparency and briefing requirements: The Secretary must provide the report in unclassified form (with an optional classified annex) and must brief the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and House Foreign Affairs Committee not later than one year after submission, and annually thereafter.
- 9Limitations: The bill contains a rule of construction clarifying that nothing in the act authorizes the use of military force against Mexico or any entity in Mexico.