World

Ex-President Salinas Role in Cocaine Trade Makes Front Page Again

by patgarcia | May 14, 2009 at 05:43 pm

343 views | 38 Recommendations | 6 comments

Mexico's former president Carlos Salinas de Gortari has been the center of attention again.

At first Mexican citizens remembered how the news of his corrupted government were made public years back. He was actually admired as an exceptionally educated man, graduated from Harvard. The country was in shock as it received the news of treason.
Back in those days the story of the "chupacabras" came to life, the blood sucking monster that caused fear and panic throughout Mexico as corpses of dead goats, sheep and cattle were found without any trace of blood in them. Then it mysteriously disappeared ....and Salinas the Gortary had fled the country as everything came to light, the fraud, the corruption, the hypocrisy.

Up to this day there are many who believe the present A/ H1N1 virus scare is a strategy to divert attention from other hidden matters, one of which could be the legalization of drugs in Mexico or something worst. After all, it has happened before when panic was created among the people with growing stories of the horrible "chupacabras"

Now former President of Mexico Miguel de la Madrid Hurtado talked about President Salinas' involvement in major drug dealing and said to regret choosing Salinas as his successor. He described Salinas's government as one of "immorality".
He also accused President Salinas of robbing half of the official presidents funds and helping his brothers gain control of Mexico's drug business.

Salinas's reaction was one of indignation, claiming manipulation and abuse of Miguel de la Madrid Hurtado's deteriorated health condition. In response to this claim Miguel de la Madrid Hurtado apologized publicly today.

En la conversación, que duró casi una hora y media y se celebró el 15 de abril pasado en casa de De la Madrid, el ex mandatario dijo haberse equivocado al escoger a Salinas como su sucesor para que presidiera un mandato que consideró marcado por la "inmoralidad".

Además, afirmó que Salinas robó la mitad de la partida secreta, un fondo oficial con que contaban entonces los presidentes de México y acusó a los hermanos de éste, Raúl y Enrique, de tener vínculos con el narcotráfico y de enriquecimiento ilícito durante los años en que Carlos gobernaba

A little background history

After a nearly three-year inquiry into drug corruption in Mexico, Swiss police investigators have concluded that a brother of former President Carlos Salinas de Gortari played a central role in Mexico's cocaine trade, raking in huge bribes to protect the flow of drugs into the United States.

In a secret 369-page report, the investigators assert that Mr. Salinas's elder brother, Raul, used his wide influence in the administration to organize an elaborate network of protection for drug smugglers. He also channeled drug money to his brother's presidential campaign, the report alleges.

''When Carlos Salinas de Gortari became President of Mexico in 1988, Raul Salinas de Gortari assumed control over practically all drug shipments through Mexico,'' the report states. ''Through his influence and bribes paid with drug money, officials of the army and the police supported and protected the flourishing drug business.''

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Paschen

at 19:25 on May 14th, 2009

Hum, That would make some waves.

patgarcia

at 19:39 on May 14th, 2009

A tsunami unfortunately

Paschen

at 19:52 on May 14th, 2009

Most likely a tsunami in deed.

Roy C

at 22:26 on May 14th, 2009

You are brave, even to write about this. Isn't Salinas hiding out in Ireland because the extradition treaty protects him?

jazzyzazzy

at 01:06 on May 15th, 2009

Cocaine abuse is rife in our society especially among professionals who need it to keep up with the undesirable and unsociable hours some have to work.Drugs are not going to go away.

Barbara McPherson

at 08:27 on May 15th, 2009

I second Roy's comment. You are brave indeed to expose these criminals. Your posting gives us a better understanding of how events have gotten to this place.