June 07, 2008

Abstract: (Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Most people in Mexico think the government’s efforts to combat illegal drug trade are insufficient, according to a poll by Reforma. 53 per cent of respondents think organized crime is currently winning the war against drug trafficking.

(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Most people in Mexico think the government’s efforts to combat illegal drug trade are insufficient, according to a poll by Reforma. 53 per cent of respondents think organized crime is currently winning the war against drug trafficking.

Mexican voters chose their new president in July 2006. Official results placed Felipe Calderón of the conservative National Action Party (PAN) as the winner with 36.68 per cent of all cast ballots. Calderón—a former energy secretary—took over as Mexico’s head of state in December. During his campaign, he vowed to combat illicit drug trafficking and drug-related crime, as well as to boost Mexico’s economy.

Since taking office, Calderón has waged a frontal war on drug trafficking, involving the army in raid and security operations in the northern areas of the country. The United States is supporting Mexico’s war on drugs with monetary aid.

This year, four high-ranking police officers—including national police chief Edgar Eusebio Millán Gómez and head of the organized crime tactical analysis office Roberto Velasco Bravo—have been assassinated by gunmen in Mexico.

On May 29, Calderón said drug users in the U.S. are partly to blame for Mexico’s problems related to the illegal drug trade, saying, "The battle Mexico is waging every day takes the lives of Mexican policemen, even though the majority of consumers are American."

Polling Data

In your view, who is winning the war against drug trafficking?

Organized crime	53%
The federal government	24%
No opinion	23%

Source: Reforma
Methodology: Face-to-face interviews with 1,515 Mexican adults, conducted from May 23 to May 25, 2008. Margin of error is 2.5 per cent.