Mexico: Calderon rolls the dice on anti-crime policy

A newspaper shuts down due to constant threats.

The assassination of a top police official in Monterrey.

Twenty-two dead during a gunfight in Sonora.

Infiltration of the police by drug gangs.

With crime in Mexico apparently out of control president Felipe Calderon has steadfastly stood by his policy against crime and the people seem to praise him for his efforts:

“Mr. Calderón's popularity has also doubled, with two-thirds of Mexicans now approving of his presidency. It is not necessarily because they believe he is solving the problem of insecurity, however. For most Mexicans, analysts say, taking bold action – even if initially unsuccessful – is better than none at all”.

Caldron’s policy changes have not been without controversy, however. His proposal to use army soldiers in law enforcement operations has met with strong criticism from opposition politicians. The use of U.S. aid to expand Mexico’s electronic surveillance program may easily backfire due to issues over U.S. involvement and privacy.

Yet the ultimate arbiter of Calderon’s anti-crime police will be if it’s successful in diminishing crime. That remains to be seen.

Sources (English)- CNN, International Herald Tribune, Monsters & Critics, People’s Daily Online, Christian Science Monitor, South Florida Sun-Sentinel

Sources (Spanish)- Jornada, El Universal

Image- BBC News (“Federal police units were sent to hunt down the gang members”)