CARTOON TITLE: ‘DIPLOMACY IN ACTION’
SECRETARY CLINTON’S SIGN SAYS: ‘THERE’S NO PROBLEM GOVERNING MEXICO’
MEXICAN FOREIGN SECRETARY ESPINOSA SAYS: ‘YOU HAVEN’T SEEN IT ALL!’
With Hillary Clinton in Mexico praising that country’s president for his handling of the drug war, is President Calderon, who took office after a contested election, using that national emergency to grab power, legitimize himself and de-legitimize his political opposition?
According to Luis Hernandez Navarro of Mexico’s La Jornada, Calderon, who suffers from the same shortcomings that George W. Bush did upon taking office, is following Bush’s lead by prosecuting the drug war to the exclusion of all else.
“Felipe Calderon has made the war on narco-trafficking the centerpiece of his administration. Combating organized crime has provided Calderón a mantle of legitimacy denied him at the ballot box. The militarization of politics has given him the tools to administer the country with exceptional measures. The politicization of public security has made it easier to restore the chain of command and obedience.
In the same way that September 11, 2001 permitted George W. Bush to endeavor to make war, the battle against the drug cartels has allowed the Mexican chief executive to seek to entrench and perpetuate his government.”
By Luis Hernández Navarro
Translated By Liz Essary
March 24, 2009
Mexico – La Jornada – Original Article (Spanish)
Felipe Calderon has made the war on narco-trafficking the centerpiece of his administration. Combating organized crime has provided Calderón a mantle of legitimacy denied him at the ballot box. The militarization of politics has given him the tools to administer the country with exceptional measures. The politicization of public security has made it easier to restore the chain of command and obedience.
In the same way that September 11, 2001 permitted George W. Bush to endeavor to make war, the battle against the drug cartels has allowed the Mexican chief executive to seek to entrench and perpetuate his government. But instead of sending troops to Iraq and Afghanistan, Mexico’s president has pulled them out of their barracks take up positions within national territory.
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