| | |  News Around the Republic of Mexico 
Mexico President Defends Drug Policy, Admits Violence Worse
 Agence France-Presse
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September 02, 2010
| | Mexican President Felipe Calderon stands by after the annual government's report at Palacio Nacional in Mexico City. Calderon admitted drug violence was worsening in Mexico but said that the toppling of several major drug bosses had weakened the cartels, in his annual address Thursday. (Ronaldo Schemidt/AFP | |
Mexico City - Mexican President Felipe Calderon admitted drug violence was worsening in Mexico but said that the toppling of several major drug bosses had weakened the cartels, in his annual address Thursday.
"It's an ever more bloody war between organized crime groups fighting for territory, markets and routes," Calderon told hundreds of top officials and politicians at Mexico City's National Palace.
The Mexican leader is under increasing fire for his military crackdown on organized crime launched in 2006. The move has been accompanied by an eruption of violence, including the recent massacre of 72 migrants by a suspected drug gang in northeastern Mexico.
A defiant Calderon alluded to this week's capture of drug boss Edgar Valdez, alias "the Barbie," and the deaths in military operations of two top capos in recent months as signs that his policy was working.
"The capture or killing of important criminal leaders has made the crime organizations more desperate," Calderon said.
"This process of confrontation weakens these groups but causes great worry to society," he added.
Rights groups have slammed alleged abuses by the Mexican military under the crackdown and the government's failure to curb growing attacks, particularly on migrants.
Drug violence -- including beheadings, hangings and shootings -- has expanded to more of the country and seen several car bombs for the first time this year. More than 28,000 people have died in drug-related attacks since 2006, according to official figures.
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