Mexican Naval units to participate in Parternership of the Americas 2012 in Florida

The Mexican Senate has given it’s approval for elements of Mexico’s Navy to leave the country for participation in the multi-national military exercises to be held off the coast of Florida September 13 – 16, 2012.

POTA-2012 as it is called, combines military forces from the America’s in training exercises revolving around peace keeping, drug interdiction, humanitarian assistance, command and control and coordination between forces.

The invitation was extended by the United States Secretary of the Navy to his counterpart in Mexico City through the US Southern Command headquartered in the Tampa Bay area.

Under Mexican law, military forces and the President of the Republic, need the written permission from the Mexican Senate before they can take a trip beyond Mexico’s borders.

According to a spokesman for the Mexican Navy, ”Given its size, the POA-12 exercises represent a valuable opportunity for our  Navy  to participate in naval exercises, which strengthen the naval force development by increasing its operational capacity and response,

Mexico will contribute an amphibious warship with a crew of 150, a naval helicopter with a crew of six and a contingent of 43 Naval Marine Infantry to the exercises.

The Mexican naval marines have been at the forefront of the war against the TCO’s in Mexico the past 6 years. Just recently, their latest accomplishment was the capture of the top two leaders of the Gulf Cartel, Mario Cardenas Guillen, alias El Gordo.