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Mexico 'courage' on drugs praised | |
(about 12 hours later) | |
US President Barack Obama has praised Mexico's leaders for their "courage" in fighting drugs cartels. | |
At a regional summit in Guadalajara, he said Mexico's President Felipe Calderon had pledged to uphold human rights. | |
The Mexican military has been accused by rights groups of widespread abuses in its war on drugs traffickers. | |
In Guadalajara, Mr Obama, Mr Calderon and Canada's Prime Minister Stephen Harper vowed to fight swine flu and restore growth across North America. | |
"I heartily commend President Calderon and his government for their determination and courage in taking on these [drugs] cartels," Mr Obama said. | |
He said he had great confidence that "human rights will be observed" under Mr Calderon. | |
For his part, Mr Calderon said his government had an "absolute and categorical" commitment to human rights. | |
Pressing issues | |
In a final summit statement, the three leaders promised to forge a joint position on climate change and also reaffirmed the need to reject trade protectionism. | |
The three leaders also reaffirmed their support for ousted Honduran President Manuel Zelaya, saying he remained the rightful leader of the country. | |
The summit in Guadalajara had been dubbed the meeting of three amigos, but the leaders apparently failed to resolve several pressing issues. | |
Mexico is concerned that recent US moves, including a ban on Mexican truckers operating in the US, suggest protectionism and could worsen its economic situation. | |
At the summit, Mr Harper raised with Mr Obama Canada's concerns that the Buy America provisions in the multibillion dollar US economic stimulus plan could shut out Canadian companies. | |
But Mr Obama said that the provisions had not hurt trade with Canada - America's largest partner. | |
"This in no way has endangered the billions of dollars in trade taking place between our two countries," he said. | |
Mexico has also been unhappy with Canada's decision to require visas from Mexican visitors to the country. |