Mexican president at Harvard: Governing means making tough choices, no matter political costs

Calderon at Harvard: Governing means tough choices

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. — Mexican President Felipe Calderon (fay-LEE’-pay kahl-duh-ROHN’) says his government has been striving to achieve long-term goals regardless of the painful political costs.

Calderon says in a speech prepared for delivery at Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government on Wednesday his fight against drug cartels is an example of costs associated with a difficult decision. The fight has touched off violence that has killed at least 22,700 people since he took office in December 2006.

Calderon says his administration had to confront criminals who had been ignored for decades and were increasing their power and influence, taking over towns and communities and threatening people.

He says the drug war is weakening their capabilities, strengthening and modernizing the Mexican judicial and security systems and building the future of liberty families deserve.