[p][p]In an interview with the newspaper Excelsior, the sheriff of Maricopa County in Arizona, Joe Arpaio, said that the United States should send U.S. troops to Mexico and members of the Border Patrol, because he believes that it would help eradicate criminal groups in Mexico.

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"I think we should help Mexico by going there with our Border Patrol and our military, working together to try to ease the cartel massacres, killings of innocent people, and to give them the resources together. I'm not talking about invading Mexico, "he said.

The sheriff also said that he was willing to meet with the Mexican President, Enrique Peña Nieto, and also with President Barack Obama to plan a strategy, because for years U.S. authorities have supported Mexican forces with training and equipment, but believes nothing has changed.

Although Arpaio has been distinguished for his anti-immigrant stance and even faces some lawsuits, he was re-elected as sheriff of Maricopa County for the sixth time.

Arpaio, now 80 years old, began his career as a police officer, then a narcotics agent who was involved in various operations in Latin American countries including Mexico, and spoke about this based on his experience.

Brenda.Colon@sandiegored.com

Omar.Martinez@sandiegored.com