WASHINGTONSen. Cornyn was interviewed on Fox News today discussing the violence in Mexico which can be viewed on his YouTube page. He recently sent a letter to President Obama expressing serious concern over escalating drug-related violence occurring along the U.S.-Mexico border where there have been more than 7000 drug-related deaths since the beginning of 2008.
Immediately below are excerpts from the interview and the full transcript is included at the bottom of this email.
Sen. Cornyn On Violence In Mexico: This Is A Very Serious Problem":
Well this is a very serious problem and thats why its important that we support President Calderon and the federal government in Mexico to quell this violence there in Mexico before it does spill over across our borders.
Its important to note that what weve provided are resources -- intelligence surveillance equipment and the like -- not cash under something called the project Merida -- Merida Initiative -- which is I think very important because while Mexico is a sovereign country and they dont want our troops there they do need our help and we need to provide them that help out of our own self-interest if nothing else."
Sen. Cornyn: The Most Important Thing We Can Do Is Support President Calderon":
The most important thing we can do is support President Calderon and the federal government to quell the violence and to defeat the cartels because as long as they can make money off of trading in human traffic weapons drugs you name it theyre going to keep doing it. And we need President Calderon to win this war and not to lose."
Sen. Cornyn: It Is In Our Interest To Help Mexico In Any Way We Can":
Well its a destabilizing influence on the government as the Department of Defense U.S. Department of Defense has pointed out. And youre right they said there are as many as 100000 foot soldiers there.
But this is a large country with you know working government so were not talking about a failed state here. But it is in our interest to help them in any way we can and unfortunately its still very dangerous."
Full Transcript:
Megyn Kelly: This is getting more and more serious. And I know weve given over $1 billion to Mexico in an effort to try to help them fight this -- this problem of violence and now you have in essence a war just south of your border in Texas. Just how worried should we be?
Sen. Cornyn: Well this is a very serious problem and thats why its important that we support President Calderon and the federal government in Mexico to quell this violence there in Mexico before it does spill over across our borders.
Its important to note that what weve provided are resources -- intelligence surveillance equipment and the like -- not cash under something called the project Merida -- Merida Initiative -- which is I think very important because while Mexico is a sovereign country and they dont want our troops there they do need our help and we need to provide them that help out of our own self-interest if nothing else.
Megyn Kelly: And now I know that Texas officials are planning for two emergency situations at least. Number one is spillover violence so these drug cartels take the fight north or maybe the Mexico government inadvertently takes the fight north. And number two is mass migration into Texas and other border states by families who are trying to get the heck out of Dodge because they dont want their little children to be caught in the crossfire. Which of those do you see is the number one priority right now?
Sen. Cornyn: Well I think weve already seen as the Houston Chronicle reports today that wealthy Mexicans who have the ability to leave Mexico to avoid the violence are doing so and coming to the United States.
I think its unlikely that the cartels will engage in violence across the border in the northern side because they know it will bring all the wrath and fury of the United States to bear on them.
And right now theyre battling for supremacy in Mexico because they want to protect that drug traffic which unfortunately uses the demand in the United States to fuel the violence and the threat of expansion not only in Mexico but as you point out perhaps even across the border.
Megyn Kelly: Now what about these families who -- you know -- I know people in this country do not want to see illegal immigrants coming across the border but you got to feel for these Mexican families in towns like Juarez which is a war town now which is under siege by these drug lords. And you know people are getting shot in the street every day there are beheadings going on now. These drug lords sound like Al Qaida in their method. So should there be some sort of a refuge provided to these folks for a temporary time or is anything like that even being considered Senator?
Sen. Cornyn: Its not being considered to my knowledge but there are -- youre right there have been about 8000 deaths in Mexico since 2008. Mainly it has been local law enforcement its been intimidation against them to force them to cooperate or else suffer the consequences or a family member suffer the consequences.
But its -- I think points out that the most important thing we can do is support President Calderon and the federal government to quell the violence and to defeat the cartels because as long as they can make money off of trading in human traffic weapons drugs you name it theyre going to keep doing it. And we need President Calderon to win this war and not to lose.
Megyn Kelly: Well and I know hes been -- hes been very good about trying at least to crack down on these Mexican drug lords although with limited success you know you could say given the numbers. So my question to you is you read these articles is there any chance that this government is in trouble that these drug lords are so powerful there may be some sort of a siege?
Sen. Cornyn: Well its a destabilizing influence on the government as the Department of Defense U.S. Department of Defense has pointed out. And youre right they said there are as many as 100000 foot soldiers there.
But this is a large country with you know working government so were not talking about a failed state here. But it is in our interest to help them in any way we can and unfortunately its still very dangerous.
Most of the violence is being directed toward people engaged in drug trafficking or local law enforcement who are being intimidated and some cases killed to prevent them from defeating and fighting the cartels.
Megyn Kelly: What a situation. And I know that officials in your state as well as at the federal level are making plans. So theres some comfort in that. But Senator John Cornyn looks like you have your hands full. Thanks so much for being here.
Sen. Cornyn: Thanks Megyn
WASHINGTONSen. Cornyn was interviewed on Fox News today discussing the violence in Mexico which can be viewed on his YouTube page. He recently sent a letter to President Obama expressing serious concern over escalating drug-related violence occurring along the U.S.-Mexico border where there have been more than 7000 drug-related deaths since the beginning of 2008.
Immediately below are excerpts from the interview and the full transcript is included at the bottom of this email.
Sen. Cornyn On Violence In Mexico: This Is A Very Serious Problem":
Well this is a very serious problem and thats why its important that we support President Calderon and the federal government in Mexico to quell this violence there in Mexico before it does spill over across our borders.
Its important to note that what weve provided are resources -- intelligence surveillance equipment and the like -- not cash under something called the project Merida -- Merida Initiative -- which is I think very important because while Mexico is a sovereign country and they dont want our troops there they do need our help and we need to provide them that help out of our own self-interest if nothing else."
Sen. Cornyn: The Most Important Thing We Can Do Is Support President Calderon":
The most important thing we can do is support President Calderon and the federal government to quell the violence and to defeat the cartels because as long as they can make money off of trading in human traffic weapons drugs you name it theyre going to keep doing it. And we need President Calderon to win this war and not to lose."
Sen. Cornyn: It Is In Our Interest To Help Mexico In Any Way We Can":
Well its a destabilizing influence on the government as the Department of Defense U.S. Department of Defense has pointed out. And youre right they said there are as many as 100000 foot soldiers there.
But this is a large country with you know working government so were not talking about a failed state here. But it is in our interest to help them in any way we can and unfortunately its still very dangerous."
Full Transcript:
Megyn Kelly: This is getting more and more serious. And I know weve given over $1 billion to Mexico in an effort to try to help them fight this -- this problem of violence and now you have in essence a war just south of your border in Texas. Just how worried should we be?
Sen. Cornyn: Well this is a very serious problem and thats why its important that we support President Calderon and the federal government in Mexico to quell this violence there in Mexico before it does spill over across our borders.
Its important to note that what weve provided are resources -- intelligence surveillance equipment and the like -- not cash under something called the project Merida -- Merida Initiative -- which is I think very important because while Mexico is a sovereign country and they dont want our troops there they do need our help and we need to provide them that help out of our own self-interest if nothing else.
Megyn Kelly: And now I know that Texas officials are planning for two emergency situations at least. Number one is spillover violence so these drug cartels take the fight north or maybe the Mexico government inadvertently takes the fight north. And number two is mass migration into Texas and other border states by families who are trying to get the heck out of Dodge because they dont want their little children to be caught in the crossfire. Which of those do you see is the number one priority right now?
Sen. Cornyn: Well I think weve already seen as the Houston Chronicle reports today that wealthy Mexicans who have the ability to leave Mexico to avoid the violence are doing so and coming to the United States.
I think its unlikely that the cartels will engage in violence across the border in the northern side because they know it will bring all the wrath and fury of the United States to bear on them.
And right now theyre battling for supremacy in Mexico because they want to protect that drug traffic which unfortunately uses the demand in the United States to fuel the violence and the threat of expansion not only in Mexico but as you point out perhaps even across the border.
Megyn Kelly: Now what about these families who -- you know -- I know people in this country do not want to see illegal immigrants coming across the border but you got to feel for these Mexican families in towns like Juarez which is a war town now which is under siege by these drug lords. And you know people are getting shot in the street every day there are beheadings going on now. These drug lords sound like Al Qaida in their method. So should there be some sort of a refuge provided to these folks for a temporary time or is anything like that even being considered Senator?
Sen. Cornyn: Its not being considered to my knowledge but there are -- youre right there have been about 8000 deaths in Mexico since 2008. Mainly it has been local law enforcement its been intimidation against them to force them to cooperate or else suffer the consequences or a family member suffer the consequences.
But its -- I think points out that the most important thing we can do is support President Calderon and the federal government to quell the violence and to defeat the cartels because as long as they can make money off of trading in human traffic weapons drugs you name it theyre going to keep doing it. And we need President Calderon to win this war and not to lose.
Megyn Kelly: Well and I know hes been -- hes been very good about trying at least to crack down on these Mexican drug lords although with limited success you know you could say given the numbers. So my question to you is you read these articles is there any chance that this government is in trouble that these drug lords are so powerful there may be some sort of a siege?
Sen. Cornyn: Well its a destabilizing influence on the government as the Department of Defense U.S. Department of Defense has pointed out. And youre right they said there are as many as 100000 foot soldiers there.
But this is a large country with you know working government so were not talking about a failed state here. But it is in our interest to help them in any way we can and unfortunately its still very dangerous.
Most of the violence is being directed toward people engaged in drug trafficking or local law enforcement who are being intimidated and some cases killed to prevent them from defeating and fighting the cartels.
Megyn Kelly: What a situation. And I know that officials in your state as well as at the federal level are making plans. So theres some comfort in that. But Senator John Cornyn looks like you have your hands full. Thanks so much for being here.
Sen. Cornyn: Thanks Megyn
