Rage ensues as new President vows to put a stop to drug cartel
Enrique Pena Nieto has been sworn in as the new Mexican president, replacing his predecessor Calderon, and is set to take a position within Harvard University and head the charge against the drug problem inside of Mexico as well as stabilise the economy.
Over Calderon’s six years in presidency it is estimated that around 60,000 people have died in drug related incidents, and this is the the promise heading Pena Nieto’s campaign, with a shared conviction in wanting to remove all deaths, and in turn, make Mexico a safer place. The 46-year old said of the matter: “Lawlessness and violence have robbed various parts of the country of peace and freedom.”
His point was enunciated as he received the presidential sash, while protesters clashed with police equipped with riot gear. Protesters carrying petrol bombs were met by the police in Mexico City with one protester being injured as police launched tear gas on the massed protesters.
Protesters reportedly see the appointment of Pena Nieto as a return to the old regime of Pena Nieto’s party, the Institutional Revolutionary Party, otherwise known as the PRI. The PRI held power in Mexico from 1929 through to 2000 under which time they were believed to be in line with the drug cartels of Mexico in order to maintain an authoritarian regime.
Pena Nieto has vowed that this is not the case, saying: “I can say categorically that in my government, there won’t be any form of pact or agreement with organised crime. It’s not the path nor the route to greater security for the Mexican people.”
Pena Nieto hopes to achieve what he believed Calderon was unable to do, and is focussing on eradicating extortion, kidnapping and murder in an effort to make Mexico safe. Pena Nieto has also drafted help from Columbia’s top police officers in order to start his term in office positively and achieve his goal of achieving security within Mexico. He has also engaged in communication with America and Canada who are part of Nafta, a regional trade organisation, to begin work on strengthening the Mexican economy.