Obama, Pena Nieto talk security in Mexico

MEXICO CITY -- With Mexican policy shifting, President Barack Obama said Thursday the United States will cooperate with its southern neighbor in fighting drug-trafficking and organized crime in any way Mexico's government deems appropriate.

His counterpart, President Enrique Pena Nieto, emphasized that the U.S.-Mexico security relationship must be expanded to focus on trade and commerce.

Appearing with Pena Nieto at a news conference, Obama recommitted the United States to fighting the domestic demand for illegal drugs and the flow of illegal guns across the border to Mexico, even as Mexico rethinks how much access it gives to American security agencies.

"I agreed to continue our close cooperation on security, even as the nature of that cooperation will evolve," Obama said. "It is obviously up to the Mexican people to determine their security structures and how it engages with other nations -- including the United States."

Pena Nieto, in a shift from his predecessor, has moved to end the widespread access that U.S. security agencies have had in Mexico to help fight drug-trafficking and organized crime. Speaking at the news conference in Spanish, Pena Nieto downplayed the notion that the new arrangement would mean less close cooperation with the United States. "There is no clash between these two goals," he said.

He said Obama told him Washington will "cooperate on the basis of mutual respect" to promote an efficient security strategy.

The two leaders met Thursday in the start of Obama's three-day trip to Mexico and Costa Rica, his first to Latin America since winning re-election. Pena Nieto took office in December.

Seeking to put a new spin on a long-standing partnership, Obama is promoting jobs and trade -- not drug wars or border security -- as the driving force behind the relationship.

Already the economic ties between the two countries are robust, with Mexico accounting for $500 billion in U.S. trade in 2011 and ranking as the second-largest export market for U.S. goods. A stronger Mexican economy would boost trade and job growth on both sides of the border, Obama aides say.

Obama will be looking for a nod of support for his immigration reform push from Pena Nieto. The Mexican leader is expected to back the effort, but it's unlikely he will take a public position on specific legislation.

Pena Nieto's support could help Obama sell the measure to wary Republicans.