Josefina Mota calls for second phase in drug war, with focus on local police, courts

Josefina Vázquez Mota is one of three PAN presidential pre-candidates vying for the party's 2012 nomination (http://mexicogulfreporter-supplement.blogspot.com/2011/11/josefina-vazquez-mota-most-popular-for.html). She is the only female candidate, and if elected would be Mexico's first woman president. PAN will select its nominee next month.

Mota has made her position clear on dealing with drug cartels and organized crime: no deals, no truces, no cessation of the Calderon government's full court press (http://mexicogulfreporter-supplement.blogspot.com/2011/11/no-deals-with-criminals-says-pan.html). In short, Mota says there will be no respite for narco terrorists.

Mota has also said that the armed forces will not be withdrawn from the battle until Mexico's security situation greatly improves. In this respect she differs significantly from PRI nominee Enrique Peña Nieto and PRD nominee Andrés Manuel López Obrador, both of whom claim they will "return troops to their quarters" if elected.

Campaigning in recent days, Mota has emphasized that the drug war must now enter a "phase two," by placing greater emphasis on local institutions such as police and courts. "We need to have reliable police in every neighborhood, every town, every city, and we need to strengthen local governments, especially with respect to the delivery of community policing and the imparting of justice to all citizens. That's the part of the security agenda we need to work on (now)," said the candidate.

Mota has also urged the passing of a pending money laundering bill, and said that it must be applied not only to narcotics traffickers, but to "politicians, judges, everyone involved in money laundering -- everyone treated the same before the law."

A former secretary of education in the Calderón administration, Mota frequently addresses the importance of completing school for Mexican youth, especially women. She recently noted that for the first time in its history, Mexico has more girls than boys age six to 14 enrolled in school. But Mota said that many educational challenges remain.

The candidate has high praise for her former boss, who she says has worked with "great valor and responsibility" against organized crime, "without rest or truce." Mota, who is an unabashed supporter of Calderón's drug war strategy, promises to follow a similar course.

Calderón strategy has been the right one for Mexico: http://mexicogulfreporter.blogspot.com/2011/12/calderon-strategy-has-been-right-one.html.

Update Apr. 25, 2012 - Josefina pide EEUU corresponsibilidad contra crimen: http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/notas/843651.html.