Von der Leyen wants to put European household savings “at the service” of businesses

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio increased pressure on Mexico on Wednesday, stating that there are “vast swathes” of the country that, in his assessment, are not governed by the state and are under the control of organizations he described as “narco-terrorists.” During a conference in Quito, Ecuador, Rubio acknowledged that the Mexican government has intensified its actions against criminal groups, but considered the efforts made so far “far from sufficient” given the magnitude of the threat. The U.S. official noted that the power of the cartels represents a particularly serious challenge due to Mexico’s size and the capacity of these organizations to wield violence, defy authorities, and operate across borders. Rubio also mentioned the assassinations of candidates, politicians, judges, and journalists, as well as the growing use of drones and criminal networks for drug and human trafficking. Although he asserted that Washington seeks to address the problem in cooperation with the Mexican government, he warned that the threat will have to be confronted “one way or another,” a statement that reignites the debate about the extent of U.S. involvement in the fight against the cartels. These remarks come during Rubio's tour of Latin America, which includes Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru, with security and the fight against drug trafficking among the main topics on his agenda.