And if anyone needed a reminder, consider Dimas Diaz Ramos, a suspect the federal police presented to the media in Mexico City. According to investigators in Mexico he had been working on a plot to assassinate President Calderon for more than a year. Federal police arrested the suspect known as "El Seis" yesterday in Culiacan, Sinaloa. He is an the alleged financial manager for the Pacific Cartel (formerly known as the Sinaloa Cartel) .

The high profile arrest comes as President Calderon urges President Obama to speed up aid promised under the Merida initiative. Only a small fraction of the 1.4 Billion in training and equipment has been delivered so far. Among the items Mexico needs: several helicopters that would help the government fight well-armed drug cartels.

Beyond Congress will withhold 15% of the Merida aid until Mexico offers proof the military is not involved in human rights abuses as it mounts a massive operation to combat drug cartels.

Here's what I expect the 3 leaders to discuss during the joint press conference later this morning:

Security: cross border enforcement to combat transnational criminal organizations.
H1N1 preps: coordinated prevention and response as health authorities brace for flu season

Economy: creating jobs, promoting trade and working together to boost the regional economy during the recession
Sticking points:

Trucking: The U.S. has failed to comply with NAFTA and allow Mexican trucks beyond the border. President Calderon brought this touchy topic up during dinner last night.
Merida: Mexico wants the U.S. to speed up aid (training/equipment) to respond to the cartel threat. The U.S. has delivered a small fraction of the $1.4 Billion dollars worth aid and none of the helicopters promised. Beyond that, Congress will hold back on 15% of the Merida aid until Mexico proves the military is not involved in human rights abuses.

I'll have more a little later on the air and online. For now I have to run. The secret service just let us into the room to set up cameras.