U.S. Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice traveled to Mexico this week to discuss the nation's escalating drug violence, and Mexican officials called on the U.S. to quickly release promised funding to pay for military equipment to fight drug cartels.

The Washington Post reported Oct. 23 that Rice promised that the $465 million approved by Congress as part of the antidrug Merida Initiative in Mexico and Central America would be released soon. "This is an initiative that we consider to be of the utmost importance," Rice said. "This is a national security priority for Mexico and I think it's a national security priority for the United States."

At least 3,750 people have been killed in Mexico this year as the Mexican government has confronted powerful drug cartels. The three-year military campaign is reportedly costing Mexico $7 billion. The Merida money will help pay for equipment for helicopters, surveillance aircraft, and drug scanners as well as canine units and training for Mexican law enforcement.