Mexico prez: US lacks moral authority for drug war

November 13, 2012 @ 4:28 pm

MEXICO CITY (AP) - Mexican President Felipe Calderon says the legalization of marijuana for recreational use in two U.S. states limits that country's "moral authority" to ask other nations to combat or restrict illegal drug trafficking.

Calderon says the legalization of marijuana in Washington and Colorado represents a fundamental change that requires the rethinking of public policy in the entire Western Hemisphere.

Calderon spoke in an interview with the newspaper Milenio that was published Tuesday.

Calderon was joined on Monday by leaders of Belize, Honduras and Costa Rica in calling for the Organization of American States to study the impact of the new laws and saying the United Nations' General Assembly should hold a special session on the prohibition of drugs by 2015 at the latest.


(Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
More Local News
Top Stories

  • Miracle
    Seattle native is only person ever cured of HIV and returns home to boost the cure

  • Back In Business
    A temporary bridge span across the Skagit River is set to open Wednesday

  • High Altitude Upgrade
    The state's highest outhouse atop Mount Rainier is getting a badly needed upgrade
MyNorthwest.com - Purpose of Comments statement
Bonneville Media encourages site users to express their opinions by posting comments. Our goal is to maintain a civil dialogue in which readers feel comfortable. At times, the comments can descend to personal attacks. Please do not engage in such behavior. We encourage your thoughtful comments which: have a positive and constructive tone, are on topic, are respectful toward others and their opinions. Bonneville reserves the right to remove comments which do not conform to these criteria.

Comments (5)


  • Add A Comment

  • Rangerhawk wrote...
    He has has a point
    November 13, 2012 4:34 pm
    As hypocritical as it may be. The real question is, will the loss of revenue to the Cartel's cause them to start paying off or extorting(or worse) politicians and or groups lobbying at the state level to legalize (or keep legal) pot? Only if they don't mind losing a few hundred mil or so a year I suppose.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • vern ivan wrote...
    Calderon
    November 13, 2012 5:42 pm
    Might that he see his power base dissolving? The countries mentioned are notorioulsy known as major growers of marijauna and cocao. And those products drifted north through Mexico. Despite the rethoric I sense that this has always been a lucrative enterprise for our southern neighbors. And a recent report indicated that cartels, in Mexico, are developing large scale production facilties to manufacture Methamphetamine. MJ and Cocain. Natural occuring substances, meth is a manufactured poison. Such humans who do this are guilty of premeditated murder. Not so in other countries. ... If to imagine that Calderon was sincere, dedicated to stem the flow of drugs, he would have applauded the two states who lead a movement to ease pressure at the border. Now it seems he may be thinking "my financials" ??? (:)+-
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • maplefish wrote...
    Ohhhh, so now
    November 13, 2012 6:06 pm
    He has something to say about Drugs....What a dicckkhead!
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • fuster wrote...
    He's Right
    November 13, 2012 8:35 pm
    Well, he is right. The "war on drugs" has not worked, has never worked and never will work. We need to focus money and effort on treatment for substance use disorders and mental health disorders, not on interdiction of drugs. If we didn't have so many users in the U.S., Mexico would not have all their problems down there. And fighting it for them means beheadings, tortures, etc. for citizens of Mexico. Should we care? Yes. But spend our tax money where it counts, right here, not in Columbia or other countries. Stop the demand and you stop the problem. Sheesh, people, get a clue!
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • maplefish wrote...
    Stop the Demand?
    November 14, 2012 8:22 am
    Hmmmm, do you really think that's gonna happen? Sad truth is NO. Never. For whatever reason, Human Beings and other species of animals on this planet seem to enjoy being intoxicated??? Crazy but true.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }