he crash, which killed Interior Minister Juan Camilo Mouriño and eight others aboard a Learjet 45 on Tuesday night, was a serious blow to President Felipe Calderon at a time when his government is locked in a violent struggle against drug traffickers and faces growing signs of economic trouble related to the global downturn.
As interior minister, traditionally the country’s second- most powerful office, the 37-year-old Mouriño’s sprawling portfolio included domestic security. He was the closest among Calderon’s tight circle of advisors on crime and a host of other issues and had been mentioned as a possible successor when Calderon’s term ends in 2012.
Mexico has been awash in violence since Calderon launched his war on drug traffickers in December 2006. This year, about 4,000 people have been died in drug violence, much of it bloody turf wars between competing smuggling organizations.
Mexico has been awash in violence since Calderon launched his war on drug traffickers in December 2006. This year, about 4,000 people have been died in drug violence, much of it bloody turf wars between competing smuggling organizations.
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