Mexican forces to fight Baja’s organized crime

In your article, “Mexican forces to fight Baja’s organized crime” (Jan. 3, 2007), you describe President Calderón’s battle in Tijuana against local drug traffickers as the latest operation following his post-election pledge to crack down on the country’s drug trade. This intervention follows the deployment of 6,000 troops to the state of Michoacán in December.

However, your article fails to reference the political motivations behind Calderón’s aggressive move to clean up the drug problem. The states of Michoacán and Tijuana, in which he first unleashed military moves, will conduct significant elections within the next twelve months. A successful campaign against the traffickers dominating these two states would demonstrably aid Calderón in gathering popular support in his home state of Michoacán, where his PAN party presently trails behind the PRI and PRD. Increased support would also fortify PAN’s stronghold in Baja California. It has not escaped notice that Calderón has never intervened in rival PRI-controlled states, locations possessing equally grave drug-related problems.

To succeed in his efforts, Calderón must of course continue to forcefully confront drug traffickers. The new president has every right to initiate his term by supporting strong assertions with action. However, he would be wise to avoid excessive polarization of the anti-drug battle since ultimate triumph in this struggle will require cooperation from all corners of Mexico’s ideological spectrum.