Posted on 01/19/2007 5:26:50 PM PST by NormsRevenge
ACAPULCO, Mexico - President Felipe Calderon announced Friday that 7,600 soldiers have massed in the Pacific coast state of Guerrero to go after drug gangs that have committed beheadings and other violence in the resort city of Acapulco in recent months.
Calderon had already sent more than 10,000 troops to two other states since taking office on Dec. 1, promising a tough response to organized crime that claimed the lives of at least 2,000 Mexicans last year.
The soldiers, who arrived Sunday, joined more than 1,000 troops that started conducting random checks on vehicles throughout Acapulco last week.
The operation "seeks to improve security not only in Acapulco but across Guerrero for its residents and national and foreign visitors," said Calderon, during a visit to Acapulco on Friday.
"The seas and coasts of Mexico should not be used for acts that endanger the health and safety of Mexicans," he said, adding that the troops' first assignment will be to destroy 3,000 drug plantations in the southern state.
Authorities on Wednesday announced the first major drug arrest under Calderon's administration with the capture of Pedro Diaz Parada in the state of Oaxaca. Prosecutors say Diaz Parada founded the cartel named after him in Mexico's southeastern region.
The administration of former President Vicente Fox was praised by U.S. officials for numerous arrests of top drug bosses and he, too, sent federal forces into Guerrero and other states. But the actions failed to halt violence or notably reduce drug trafficking.
In Acapulco, Guerrero Gov. Zeferino Torreblanca has requested that troops refrain from patrolling the beachside avenue Costera Miguel Aleman, which runs past many luxury hotels, because business owners fear it will scare away tourists.
Calderon earlier sent 7,000 troops to his home state of Michoacan and 3,300 soldiers and federal police to Tijuana — across the border from San Diego — to hunt down drug gangs.
The soldiers in Tijuana swept police stations and took officers' guns for inspection in response to allegations by federal investigators that a corrupt network of officers protects smugglers.
Mexico's President Felipe Calderon speaks to members of the military during a meeting in Acapulco, Mexico, Friday, Jan. 19, 2007. Calderon announced that 7,600 soldiers have amassed in the Pacific coast state of Guerrero as part of the new operative against drug gangs in that state. (AP Photo/Gonzalo Perez)
hmmmmm.. I wonder why Vicente Fox never pursued this course of action?
Calderon has been impressive so far. I'll give him the benefit of the doubt for now. That country will take years to get its act together, though. Calderon can't perform magic.
He is "surging" his troop levels to counter the insurgency.
That country will take years to get its act together, though. Calderon can't perform magic.
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That is true. A pretty impressive start so far and to a certain degree, unexpected if I may say so.
It remains to be seen how deeply the layers of corruption will cleaned out or if we are just witnessing a changing out of one crew of corrupt officials and transferring the holdings and assets/operations to another. Time will tell.
The similarities between the WOD and prohibition smack us right between the eyes everyday. It's taken years and years and billions of dollars, and all we have to show for it is the rise of the underworld. I think we should outlaw alcohol and create even more wealth for the gangsters.
I know nothing of Mexico's Government, my question is the line of succession, if Calderon dies in office who is next in line and who after that?
The absolute corruption of the Mexican Government from top to bottom is beyond comprehension. Civil War would have been a far better choice than the lack of Law that Mexico is strapped with now.
If there was such a thing as a Fourth World Government...
(Then again there is New Orleans)
TT
Repealing Prohibition legitimized the Kennedy fortune...
You want more Kennedys???
If the President dies, the Secretaría de gobernacion handles day to day executive functions until Congress appoints a "presidented internal" who serves until the next congressional election (if less than 6 month away, then until a special election can be scheduled) when a President is elected to a short term. The only time this has happened under the present constitution was in 1928, when the president elect, Alvaro Obregón was assassinated and an internal president (Emiliano Portes Gil) served the first two years of the 1928-34 term. His elected replacement, Pacal Ortiz Rubio had health problems, and resigned, being replaced for the last 14 months of his 4 year short term by Abelardo Rodrigues (who... maybe of some interest given the "drug war" made his fortune out of liquor sales along the U.S. border during Prohibition... hey, buying booze in mexico wasn't illegal, and it wasn't any Mexican's business if you exported it).
[singing] You Can’t Say No In Acapulco...
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