Peña Nieto calls for multinational effort against drug traffickers during U.N. week appearances

. . . and insists that Mexico is becoming safer

Guadalajara -
Addressing the U.S. Council on Foreign Relations today, Mexican president Enrique Peña Nieto said that a unified multinational effort will be necessary to effectively take on drug cartels operating in the northern hemisphere.

"I believe that we must present a common front," said Peña Nieto. "The cartels are not just operating in one country; they have an international presence."

The 48 year old president, who has held Mexico's highest office for 22 months, said that of the 122 top organized crime leaders identified by his administration after it assumed the reins of power on Dec. 1, 2012, 88 have been captured, killed or decommissioned.

In another public forum during his week long trip to New York for the United Nations 69th General Assembly, Peña Nieto again announced his opposition to any form of drug legalization, including marijuana. President Barack Obama voiced the same opinion during a highly publicized visit to Mexico City on May 3, 2013, telling a group of young people, "drugs are not the answer." Several months later Obama reversed his position on the possession and use of cannabis in the United States. Who is committed to the drug war?

Peña Nieto also told the Council on Foreign Relations that offenses such as extortion and kidnapping are decreasing in Mexico, and violent crime statistics are showing noteworthy improvement, proving his government is "on the right track."

Hours after the president spoke, the body of a Jalisco federal congressman kidnapped in metro Guadalajara Monday afternoon was found in a neighboring state, together with his assistant. The remains of both men were burned beyond recognition. No one has been arrested in the case and no suspects have been publicly identified by authorities. Jalisco federal representative kidnapped in Guadalajara is found murdered.

Sept. 20 - In New York, Enrique Peña Nieto to receive prestigious World Statesman award

International drug trafficking
Apr. 30, 2014 - Senior American military commanders call U.S. drug policy hypocritical
Apr. 4, 2014 - DEA tells Congress, Mexican drug cartels hard at work in Colorado and Washington
Apr. 21, 2013 - Mexican drug cartels "have their tentacles in Canada," reports Montreal newspaper
Apr. 12, 2013 - Mexican drug cartels have strong foothold in Europe
Mar. 26, 2013 - Mexico's Sinaloa Cartel has 90% market domination in U.S.
Feb. 14, 2013 - Chicago calls El Chapo Guzmán "Public Enemy # 1"
Feb. 11, 2013 - The Chicago Connection: Sinaloa Cartel moves cocaine from Windy City to Australia
Jan. 13, 2013 - Mexican drug cartels operate in 1,286 U.S. cities
Jan. 6, 2013 - Mexican drug cartels enjoy global presence via cocaine

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