When was felipe calderon elected president

In Mr. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University. In , Mr. In the years up to his presidency, Mexican cartels had been shipping narcotics across the Americas, both north and south of Mexico. He was earlier a Representative in the Assembly of Mexico City WRI relies on the generosity of donors like you to turn research into action. You can support our work by making a gift today or exploring other ways to give.

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What can we help you find? He also moved to reorganised Mexico's various police forces. While Mr Calderon's promise to adopt an iron-fist approach to crime may have resonated with voters during the campaign, it has clearly been a high-risk strategy. The continuing bloodshed - was the most violent year yet - threatened to undermine public support for the crackdown. Speaking to the BBC in October , Mr Calderon said he would continue his war on the country's drug cartels until the country was safe.

One of President Calderon's refrains has been that the illegitimate economy - namely drug-trafficking - is driven by demand from north of the border. He has also repeatedly called on Washington to do more to tackle the flow of guns south. The issue of illegal migration, and the treatment of Mexicans on the border, is a source of abiding tension between the US and Mexico.

President Calderon has argued for immigration reform in the US, where there are an estimated 12 million illegal immigrants, many from Mexico. Mr Calderon's term in office also coincided with the global economic downturn. Given its close trading relationship with its northern neighbour, Mexico is exposed to US weaknesses.

But the Mexican economy has proved resilient, with manufacturing performing well, especially the car industry.