The 56th President of Mexico, a lawyer-turned-politician who served from 2006 to 2012, is known for his efforts to combat drug cartels and reform the country's energy sector.
Felipe Caldern, the 63rd president of Mexico, is known for his bold move to declare war on the country's notorious drug cartels just 10 days into his presidency in 2006. This controversial decision would go on to define his tenure in office, marked by a significant increase in homicides and a drastic shift in Mexico's approach to combating organized crime.
Felipe de Jesús Caldern Hinojosa was born on August 18, 1962, in Mexico City. He studied law at the Free School of Law and later earned a master's degree in economics from Yale University. Caldern's entry into politics began in the 1980s, when he joined the National Action Party (PAN), a conservative political party in Mexico.
He quickly rose through the ranks, holding various positions including National President of the PAN, Federal Deputy, and Secretary of Energy during the presidency of Vicente Fox between 2003 and 2004. Caldern's experience in government and politics ultimately paved the way for his presidential bid in 2006.
Caldern's campaign for the presidency was marked by controversy, with allegations of electoral fraud and disputes over the results. In the end, the Federal Electoral Institute declared Caldern the winner, with a narrow margin of 0.6% over his closest rival, Andrés Manuel López Obrador of the Party of the Democratic Revolution (PRD).
The inauguration ceremony was tense, with PRD legislators protesting the alleged electoral fraud. Despite the controversy surrounding his victory, Caldern's presidency marked a significant shift in Mexico's approach to combating organized crime.
Caldern's decision to declare war on the drug cartels was a defining moment in his presidency. The move was seen as a bold attempt to tackle the growing problem of organized crime in Mexico, which had become increasingly violent and brazen.
Operation Michoacán, launched in 2007, was the first significant federal force deployment against drug gangs. The operation was carried out by the Mexican army and the Federal Police, with the goal of dismantling the drug cartels and reducing violence in the region.
The drug war had a devastating human toll, with over 60,000 people killed during Caldern's presidency. The violence peaked in 2010, with the highest number of homicides recorded in Mexican history.
Critics argued that the military's involvement in the drug war led to human rights abuses and fueled further violence. Others saw Caldern's strategy as a necessary measure to combat the growing power of the drug cartels.
Felipe Caldern's presidency was marked by controversy and criticism. His decision to declare war on the drug cartels was seen as a desperate attempt to tackle the problem, rather than addressing the root causes of organized crime.
Caldern's government was also accused of human rights abuses, corruption, and cronyism. The former president was criticized for his close ties to big business and his failure to address Mexico's deep-seated economic and social problems.
After leaving office in 2012, Caldern continued to be involved in politics, serving as a member of the National Action Party's national council. In 2018, he quit the party, citing disagreements over its direction and policies.
Today, Felipe Caldern remains a controversial figure in Mexican politics, with opinions about his presidency sharply divided. While some see him as a bold leader who took on the drug cartels, others view him as a failed president who exacerbated the country's problems.
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