Mexican president asks governors for support in drug war

Aug 12, 2010, 21:51 GMT

Mexico City - Mexican President Felipe Calderon Thursday pleaded with state governors for more support in the fight against organized crime and the drug trade.

Speaking to the 31 regional leaders, Calderon urgently emphasized how vital it was for all state governments to participate in the national fight against the drug cartels.

Federal-state cooperation in Calderon's drug war is often lacking, since the majority of states are led by governors who do not belong to Calderon's ruling PAN party.

'I ask you to support the military and federal police in their work in your states,' the president pleaded at the opening of the meeting with the governors.

Calderon declared war on the cartels four years ago when he entered office, but politicians are alarmed by the escalating civilian death toll as federal police battle it out with drug gangs. An estimated 28,000 civilians have been killed in the struggle, many of the innocent victims of drug gangs seeking to set an example for local politicians and police to give them protection.

During recent weeks, politicians and former president Vicente Fox suggested that the drug trade should be legalized to drive down prices and make the illegal trade less lucrative.

But Calderon disputes legalization, saying that cheaper drugs would invite millions more young people to try them.

In light of increasing murders and recognition that the government is losing ground against the powerful cartels, Calderon has spent the past two weeks laying the groundwork for a new initiative to improve security in Mexico.

He has met with various groups, churches, parties, business people and other sectors of society to discuss the issue.

Some of the governors emphasized the urgent need to provide more chances for education and jobs for young people to give them prospects for the lives other than crime.