A $1.6-billion aid package to help Mexico and other nations in Central America and the Caribbean to fight drug cartels has been approved by the U.S. House of Representatives, the BBC reported June 11.

The bill, based on the so-called Merida Initiative proposed by President Bush, passed on a 311-106 vote. The Senate has not yet voted on its version of the legislation, which includes human-rights provisions that have sparked strong objections from the Mexican government.

Under the measure, Congress would be authorized to spend $1.1 billion on antidrug aid to Mexico between now and 2010 as well as $405 million to fight drug trafficking in the Caribbean and Central America.