March 24, 2009 9:15 PM

Obama Pledges To Help Stop Mexican Drug Cartels

By
Michelle Levi
Topics
White House
(AP Photo)

President Obama said his administration will evaluate steps taken to monitor violence on the Mexican border and called on Americans to curb the financing and illegal guns flowing to the troubled regions.

"We are sending millions of dollars in additional equipment to provide more effective surveillance. We are providing hundreds of additional personnel that can help control the border, deal with customs issues," Mr. Obama said.

He said the government will then evaluate the effectiveness of these actions and consider alternative steps. "We will do more," he said if cause arises.

He praised steps taken by Mexican President Calderon to crack down on drug cartels to limit drug smuggling into the U.S. However, he said the U.S. must make sure drug cartels responsible for the violence are not funded and outfitted by American money and guns.

"That's part of what's financing their operations. That's part of what's arming them. That's what makes them so dangerous. And this is something that we take very seriously and we're going to continue to work on diligently in the months to come," he explained.

Full Coverage Of Obama's Press Conference:

.

Follow Political Hotsheet

Scroll Left
Scroll Right More »
CBS News on Facebook
  • Building You a Better Morning

  • CBS This Morning

    "CBS This Morning," anchored by Charlie Rose, Gayle King and Erica Hill, airs weekdays from 7 to 9 a.m. ET and at the same time in other time zones.
    Learn more...