Brennan U S President Barack Obama s assistant for counterterrorism

Summary: <p>John Brennan L U S President Barack Obama assistant for counterterrorism and homeland security Carlos Pascual C U S ambassador to Mexico and General Victor Renuart commander of the Northern Command stand next to a Bell helicopter 412 as they listen to the U S anthem during a ceremony in Mexico City December 15 2009 The U S embassy handed over 5 Bell helicopters on Tuesday and plans to give the Mexican government three UH 60 helicopters and four Caza planes in 2010 The equipment is part of a $1 4 billion package pledged by the United States in 2007 to help its southern neighbor crush rampant drug gang carnage More than 16 000 people have died in drug war violence in Mexico since President Felipe Calderon sent the army to fight the cartels in late 2006 REUTERS Henry Romero < p>

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