 |
|
|
 News Around the Republic of Mexico | January 2007 
Mexican Troops Target Drug Trade
 Natalia Parra - Associated Press
| | 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/Gonzalo Perez) |
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. |
| |
|
Vallarta Weddings
Tell a Friend
Site Map
Print this Page
Email Us