EL PASO, Texas -- U.S. Rep.Silvestre Reyes and two other top national security chairmen, Ike Skelton and Howard Berman, met with Mexican President Felipe Calderon in Mexico City, Friday.

The meeting lasted an hour and 25 minutes and focused on Mexico's progress and the fight against the violent drug cartels. The fight is being funded through the Merida Initiative, a $1.4 billion assistance package Congress approved about a year ago.

“We've delivered four helicopters to date. We're in the process of delivering another five and eight after that,” said Reyes, who is confident the initiative is working.

Mexico is receiving the $1.4 billion over the next three years, but not in cash. Instead, Mexico is receiving equipment, helicopters and training for law enforcement. The money is also helping establish effective institutions to prosecute criminals.

Reyes said the U.S. needs to do more if it wants Calderon to beat out the cartels.

“I think very easily that assistance could go up to $2.8 billion or $3 billion, and that would give us greater flexibility in providing equipment critically needed,” said Reyes.

Reyes’s trip is significant because it shows Congress is backing Calderon’s efforts.

Juarez Mayor Jose Reyes-Ferriz attended Friday’s news conference. He told KFOX the national and international attention on Mexico’s problems is long overdue and he appreciates what the Obama administration has done.

“It's a change of attitude. It's a very clear change of attitude from this administration to previous administration. The previous administration thought there were problems in Mexico, but you could solve them by building a great wall between our countries,” said Reyes-Ferriz, who spoke with KFOX for the first time.

Juarez has had more than 1,800 killings since the start of 2008.

“The problem comes from drug money coming into Mexico, guns coming into Mexico, drugs coming from Mexico to the U.S. and it's a joint problem that can only be solved jointly,” said Reyes-Ferriz.

Reyes-Ferriz said troops will remain in Juarez for the next six to 12 months. There are plans to recruit more police officers and bringing force from 1,600 to 3,000 by the end of the year.

Reyes-Ferriz said he’s optimistic about taking control of his city again.