US Pressures Mexico Not to Join The International Criminal Court

The US government is threatening to pull back 11.5 million US dollars in aid to Mexico (under the concept of fighting the drug trade) if Mexico continues with its intentions to join the International Criminal Court (ICC). This is unless Mexico signs on to Article 98 in which Mexico would agree to not turn over any US military personnel, civilian or non-US citizen working for the US government over to the ICC.

If the US were to go through with its threat, it would make Mexico the 12th Latin American nation to receive sanctions for signing on to ICC without granting the US immunity. It might also make Mexico the 10th Latin American nation to see US military grants for training and equipment cut. All of this makes Latin America the region of the world worst hit by US sanctions over the ICC.

Luckily, the Mexican government so far seems to not bend to the whims of Washington and continues to show its present day commitment to human rights around the world - which includes US citizens. There is no reason why the US government should believe that its citizens (and those who work for them) are above international law and scrutiny. They are just as "human" as we in the rest of the world are and as such, as accountable for the promotion and adherance to international laws and human rights.

It's also worth mentioning that there is opposition within different sectors in the US to its position towards Mexico on this matter. What is sad, is that this opposition stems from the economical front - as people see the sanctions creating unfavourable economic conditions for US business in Mexico.

Alas, all of this shows the power of money and we'll see sometime before November 28 what happens.

Read the full article (in Spanish): http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/131124.html
Tags: Current events, International, In the News, News and Politics, Mexico, USA, Latin America