Congress OKs money to fight drugs in Mexico

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Senate on Thursday approved $465 million to help Mexico and Central American countries battle drug cartels, clearing the measure for President George W. Bush to sign into law.

The anti-narcotics measure providing U.S. aircraft, equipment and training for Latin American countries to fight drug traffickers was attached to an unrelated bill that mostly funds the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

With the Pentagon eagerly awaiting the new war money, the legislation, which the House of Representatives passed on June 19, is expected to be signed by Bush promptly.

Under the bill, the "Merida Initiative" would provide Mexico with $400 million and Central American countries $65 million this year. Overall, the measure provides $85 million less than Bush sought.

Drug-related violence has plagued Mexico, with more than 1,400 people killed nationwide so far this year and 2,500 in 2007. About $7 billion is being spent by Mexico in its 18-month old crackdown on drug cartels, which smuggle cocaine from Colombia to U.S. consumers.

(Reporting by Richard Cowan and Adriana Garcia; Editing by Eric Walsh)