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Mexico sues U.S. arms makers: "Causes tremendous damage"
The government in Mexico City is demanding billions of dollars in compensation from the major arms companies, claiming that their products reach the country's drug cartels.
However, experts estimate that its chances of success in the lawsuit are low because US law protects manufacturers from being held liable
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Mexico
United States
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Thursday, 05 August 2021, 09:12
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Mexico is trying to fight cartels. Policemen outside polling station in Guerrero state (Photo: Reuters)
The Mexican government filed a lawsuit yesterday (Wednesday) against some of the largest arms manufacturers in the United States, claiming that they will fuel the bloodshed in the country through their reckless business policies. The lawsuit alleges that the companies knew they were actually contributing to the illegal arms trade, which led to many deaths in Mexico. The government in Mexico City is demanding up to $ 10 billion in compensation from those major arms manufacturers. They have not yet responded to the lawsuit, which was filed in a Massachusetts state court.
The Mexican government explained that it had taken this step "to put an end to the enormous damage they (the companies) are causing when they actively allow the illegal transfer of their weapons to drug cartels and other criminals in Mexico." A Mexican State Department document related to the lawsuit claims that the arms manufacturers are "aware of the fact that their products are traded and used in prohibited activities against the civilian population and authorities in Mexico." It was further alleged that the companies used "increasingly lethal weapons marketing strategies,Without security or surveillance mechanisms. "
The Mexican government estimates that 70% of the weapons traded in the country come from the United States.
In 2019, more than 17,000 homicides in Mexico were linked to illegal weapons.
An official told reporters that the damage caused by the arms trade is about 1.7% of Mexico's GDP.
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Mexican Foreign Minister Marcelo Everard said at a news conference that "we are going to win the trial and we are going to drastically reduce the illegal arms trade to Mexico."
Mexico has stressed that the lawsuit is not directed against the US government, and Everard said he believes President Joe Biden's administration is willing to work with Mexico to curb the arms trade.
However, experts doubt Mexico's chances of success in the lawsuit.
Lorenzo Meyer, a professor at the College of Mexico, told AFP that U.S. law "makes it almost impossible for arms manufacturers to take responsibility for the illegal trade."
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