The Government and the Drug Lords: Who Rules Mexico?
by COHA Director Larry Birns and Research Fellow Alex Sánchez • When it comes to the Mexican drug scene, there is usually far more than meets the eye • The Bush-Calderon drug war is as much operatic as it is functional In Mexico, President Felipe Calderon may be the constitutionally-elected leader of the nation, but in reality, drug cartels and warlords exercise de facto authority over much of the area. During President Bush’s two-day stopover in Mexico as part of his recent Latin American tour, he wasted no time in praising the accomplishments of the Calderon administration in combating drug trafficking. At a joint press conference with the Mexican leader in Merida (March 14), Bush said that: “President Calderon is taking a tough stand against organized crime and drugs, and I appreciate that.” He went on to say that: “I recognize the United States has a responsibility in the fight against drugs. And one major responsibility is to encourage people to use less drugs. When there is deman
