Incoming Mexican president will take new approach to drug war

Mexican President-elect Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador will review security agreements with the United States, including the $2.9 billion Merida Initiative, and wants to refocus aid to social and economic projects, a senior security aide said on Friday.

“When the time comes, we will review initiatives such as Plan Merida,” said Alfonso Durazo, who will head a new public security ministry when the government takes office on Dec. 1.

The decade-old Merida Initiative directs aid from U.S. agencies to Mexico to fight organized crime and drug trafficking while training security forces and supporting programs to improve Mexico . . .