Clinton says Mexican drug cartels look more like the insurgency seen in Columbia 20 years ago

Clinton: drug cartels resembling an insurgency

WASHINGTON — Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton says drug cartels in Mexico and Central America are looking more like insurgencies, and the threat they pose is growing.

In remarks at the Council on Foreign Relations on Wednesday, Clinton said the situation resembles the one in Colombia 20 years ago, where narco-trafficers controlled sections of the country.

Clinton applauded the Mexican government for its cartel-fighting efforts and its willingness to accept U.S. advice.

She said the smaller countries in Central America and in the Caribbean do not have as much capacity to fight back, and the Obama administration is looking at what extra help it can provide.