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Obama backs Mexico's war on drugs Mexico 'courage' on drugs praised
(about 12 hours later)
US President Barack Obama has given "strong support" to Mexico's war on drugs cartels, at the start of a summit in Guadalajara. US President Barack Obama has praised Mexico's leaders for their "courage" in fighting drugs cartels.
At talks with Mexico's President Felipe Calderon, he also raised the issues of swine flu and a ban on Mexican lorries entering the United States. At a regional summit in Guadalajara, he said Mexico's President Felipe Calderon had pledged to uphold human rights.
Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper joined the two leaders for dinner. The Mexican military has been accused by rights groups of widespread abuses in its war on drugs traffickers.
On Monday, a three-way summit will be held, likely to focus on problems caused by the economic recession. In Guadalajara, Mr Obama, Mr Calderon and Canada's Prime Minister Stephen Harper vowed to fight swine flu and restore growth across North America.
It will be President Barack Obama's first attendance at the annual meeting of North American leaders. "I heartily commend President Calderon and his government for their determination and courage in taking on these [drugs] cartels," Mr Obama said.
It has been dubbed the meeting of three amigos, but difficult issues divide the participants, says BBC Mexico correspondent Stephen Gibbs. He said he had great confidence that "human rights will be observed" under Mr Calderon.
Mexico is currently experiencing what looks set to be its deepest recession since the 1930s. For his part, Mr Calderon said his government had an "absolute and categorical" commitment to human rights.
Obama will discuss tough issues with his Canadian and Mexican counterparts Pressing issues
It is concerned that recent US moves, including a ban on Mexican truckers operating in the US, suggest protectionism and could worsen its economic situation, our correspondent says. 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.
Mr Harper is expected to press Mr Obama to revise the Buy America policy on public works, which has hit Canadian exporters hard. The three leaders also reaffirmed their support for ousted Honduran President Manuel Zelaya, saying he remained the rightful leader of the country.
Mexico is also unhappy with Canada's decision to require visas from Mexican visitors to the country. The summit in Guadalajara had been dubbed the meeting of three amigos, but the leaders apparently failed to resolve several pressing issues.
The threat of organised crime is something which is more likely to unite the leaders, our correspondent adds. 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.
Drug violence, an acute problem in Mexico, is showing some signs of spilling over the border into the southern US. 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.
It also a growing problem in parts of Canada. Mexico will be pressing the US to free up more of its promised $1.4bn (£840m) in aid to combat drug trafficking. 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.