US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has pledged increased support for Mexico in the fight against drug gangs.

美国国务卿希拉里·克林顿做出承诺，将会对墨西哥提供更多帮助以打击贩毒团伙。

In Mexico as part of a high-level US delegation¹, she said more would be done to cut US demand for drugs and the flow of profits and guns into Mexico.

The gangs "are fighting against both of our governments", she said, adding that a broader effort would aim to tackle social problems fuelling the trade.

Ten days ago, three people connected to the US consulate²（领事） were killed in Mexico.

Discussions during the one-day visit are focusing on the Merida initiative（主动权，首创精神） , a $1.6bn US programme of aid aimed at fighting drug cartels.

Mrs Clinton said: "This new agenda expands our focus beyond disrupting drug trafficking organisations" to include "strengthening institutions, creating a 21st Century border, and building strong, resilient（有弹力的） communities".

She added: "The recent downturn in economic growth and remittances³（汇款，侨汇） has aided the drug traffickers in their recruitment（招聘，招募） of young people."

'Real deal'

Defence Secretary Robert Gates, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff（参谋长联席会议） Admiral Mike Mullen and Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano are part of the US delegation.

"You rarely see this kind of meeting with this kind of array of cabinet officials on both sides, so I think it indicates this is the real deal," Ms Napolitano said.

Mrs Clinton is due to meet Mexican President Felipe Calderon at the end of her visit.

The trip comes a year after President Barack Obama promised to be a "full partner" with Mexico in fighting drugs.

A poll in Mexican newspaper Milenio on Tuesday found 59% of respondents thought the cartels were winning the drugs war, compared with just 21% who believed the government was.

On the eve of the talks, Mr Obama spoke⁵ to Mr Calderon to discuss their "mutual⁶ desire to work together for the benefit of the safety and security of citizens on both sides of our shared border", a US statement said.