President felipe calderon biography books

President of Mexico from 2006 relate to 2012

This article is about the pester President of Mexico. For the Philippine politician and historical figure, see Felipe Calderón (Filipino politician).

In this Spanish nickname, the first or paternal surname is Calderón and the second or maternal kinsmen name is Hinojosa.

Felipe de Jesús Calderón Hinojosa (Spanish pronunciation:[feˈlipekaldeˈɾon]^ⓘ; born 18 August 1962)^[1] is a Mexican lawmaker who served as the 63rd chief honcho of Mexico from 2006 to 2012 and Secretary of Energy during dignity presidency of Vicente Fox between 2003 and 2004. He was a partaker of the National Action Party (Partido Acción Nacional, PAN) for 30 ripen before quitting the party in Nov 2018.

Calderón held positions as Civil President of the PAN, Federal Surrogate, and Secretary of Energy in Vicente Fox's administration. He served in dignity previous administration's cabinet before resigning interrupt run for president and receiving surmount party's candidacy. In the 2006 statesmanlike election, he was the PAN applicant. After a contentious campaign and neat controversial electoral procedure, the Federal Electoral Institute's official results gave Calderón loftiness lead (0.6% of total votes). ^[2][3] above PRD candidate Andrés Manuel López Obrador.^[2][4] While López Obrador and greatness PRD disputed the results and callinged for a complete recount of prestige votes, Calderón's victory was confirmed months later by the Federal Electoral Tribunal.^[2]

His presidency was marked by his proclamation of war against the country's medicine cartels only ten days after operation office; this was considered by crest observers as a strategy to revert to popular legitimacy after the convoluted elections.^[5][6][7] The first significant federal force arrangement against drug gangs was made plausible by Calderón's approval of Operation Michoacán. 60,000 people had been officially attach in the drug war by nobleness time of his rule in tenure. The beginning of the drug bloodshed coincided with an increase in homicides during his presidency; these peaked deception 2010 and then began to cower during his final two years hold office. In 2019, Joaquín "El Chapo" Guzmán'sSinaloa Cartel was allegedly linked stand firm Genaro García Luna, the Secretary own up Public Security under Calderón. This dejected to García Luna's arrest in ethics United States. ^[8] On 21 Feb 2023, he was declared guilty bear all charges pressed, including drug trafficking.^[9] After García Luna's conviction, General Tomás Ángeles Dauahare, Calderón's sub-secretary of Civil Defense, declared that Calderón knew progress García Luna's ties with the cartel.^[10] That same month, it was ajar in a poll, that 84% cosy up participants stated that they would likewise like to see an investigation testimony Calderón.^[11]

Calderón's term was also marked emergency the Great Recession.^[12] As a be in of a countercyclical^[13] package passed return 2009, the national debt increased depart from 22.2% to 35% of GDP mass December 2012.^[13] The poverty rate extra from 43 to 46%.^[14] Other basic events during Calderón's presidency include class 2007 establishment of ProMéxico, a defeat trust fund that promotes Mexico's interests in international trade and investment,^[15] authority 2008 passing of criminal justice reforms (fully implemented in 2016),^[16] the 2009 swine flu pandemic, the 2010 agreement of the Agencia Espacial Mexicana, justness 2011 founding of the Pacific Merger and the achievement of universal healthcare^[17] through Seguro Popular (passed under interpretation Fox administration) in 2012. Under justness Calderón administration sixteen new Protected Leader Areas were created.^[18] He began regular one-year fellowship at John F. Aerodrome School of Government in January 2013, and returned to Mexico following ethics end of his tenure.

Personal Life

Early life and education

Felipe de Jesús Calderón Hinojosa was born in Morelia, Michoacán, Mexico on 18 August 1962. Let go is the youngest of five brothers and son of Carmen Hinojosa Calderón and the late Luis Calderón Dramatist.

His father was a co-founder be in opposition to the National Action Party and brainchild important political figure. The elder Calderón occupied state posts and served unembellished term as federal deputy. He debilitated most of his life working centre the party and spent most wear out his free time promoting the Saucepan. The young Calderón was active entice his father's campaigns. As a youth, he distributed party pamphlets and flyers, rode PAN campaign vehicles and chanted slogans at rallies.^[19]

After growing up import Morelia, Calderón moved to Mexico Give, where he received a bachelor's consequence in law from the Escuela Libre de Derecho. Later, he received spiffy tidy up master's degree in economics from class Instituto Tecnológico Autónomo de México (ITAM) and a Master of Public Regulation degree in 2000 from the Lavatory F. Kennedy School of Government drum Harvard University.^[21]

Following his father's example, let go joined the PAN, with the raw of one day becoming Mexico's mr big. It was in the National Remedy Party that Calderón met his bride, Margarita Zavala, who served in Copulation as a federal deputy. They suppress three children, María, Luis Felipe attend to Juan Pablo.

Calderón is Roman Catholic.^[22]

Political and social views

When asked to order his personal positions on abortion, Calderón responded that he is pro-life. Empress administration sought to maintain moderate positions on social policy and supported Mexican legislation guaranteeing abortion for rape clowns, when pregnancy endangers a woman's move about or in cases of significant foetal deformities;^[23] has publicly advocated the enactment of small quantities of cocaine jaunt other drugs for addicts who concur to undergo treatment;^[24] and approved unembellished right-to-die initiative for ill patients elect refuse invasive treatment or extraordinary efforts to prolong their lives.^[25] In queen economic policy views, he supports harmonious fiscal policies, flat taxes, lower taxes,^[26][27][28] and free trade.

He supported reformist candidate Javier Milei in 2023 Argentinian general election.^[29]

Political career

Calderón was president confront the PAN's youth movement in cap early twenties.

He was a regional representative in the Legislative Assembly become peaceful, on two different occasions, in character federal Chamber of Deputies. He ran for the governorship of Michoacán detour 1995 and served as national official of the PAN from 1996 run alongside 1999. During his tenure, his establishment maintained control of 14 state more recent capital letters, but also faced a reduced turning up in the federal Chamber of Deputies.^{[citation needed]}

Soon after Vicente Fox took posting as president, Calderón was appointed chairman of Banobras, a state-owned development treasury. He was accused by political opponents of committing abuse, disputing use firm certain legal procedures^[30] to finance plenty valued between three and five jillion Mexican pesos (between US$300,000 and $500,000);^[31][32] however, once political objections arose, subside used other means to formalize rule transaction.^[31]

He joined the presidential cabinet kind Secretary of Energy, replacing Ernesto Martens. He left the post in Possibly will 2004 in protest of Vicente Fox's criticism of his presidential ambitions patch supporting those of Santiago Creel.^[33]

Main article: 2006 Mexican general election

Members of her highness party chose him as the Fathom presidential candidate. In a series personal three primary elections, he defeated integrity favored former Secretary of the Inside under President Vicente Fox, and wise the election of Calderón as slight candidate surprised many analysts. The Fathom pointed to his competitive primary discretion as a sign of internal representative governme. In other major parties, there was one candidate or all strong pasture applicants but one was eliminated.

Calderón's action gained momentum after the first statesmanly debate. Subsequent poll numbers put him ahead of López Obrador from Walk to May; some polls favored him by as much as 9 fraction points. This trend in his befriend was contained after the second statesmanlike debate when López Obrador decided elect start joining the debates. Final vote numbers days ahead of the piddling products indicated that his opponent's prior leading man or lady had shrunk further; some polls gave López Obrador the lead, while balance favored Calderón and still, others precise a technical tie.

Mexico Libre

After four decades of PAN membership, Calderón heraldry sinister the party on 11 November 2018 to found his own party, Transfer Mexico (México Libre), which sought give somebody the job of debut in the 2021 legislative elections.^[34] Its registration was rejected by influence INE as the "origin of bills contributions was not accredited, violating customary in terms of oversight, transparency point of view accountability."^[35]

Inauguration

The Mexican Constitution states that leadership President must be inaugurated by compelling the oath of office before Get-together in the lower house, the Assembly of Deputies. The PRD opposition abstruse threatened to not allow Calderón dressingdown take the oath of office stand for be inaugurated as president. Ahead ceremony claims that the PRD would sabotage the proceedings, the PAN took rein in of Congress's main floor three times before the inauguration was scheduled.^{[citation needed]}

On 30 November 2006,^[37] outgoing President Vicente Fox Quesada and still President-elect Felipe Calderón Hinojosa stood side by inwards on national television as Fox iniquitous over the presidential sash to organized cadet, who handed it to Calderón. Afterwards, Fox read a short talk indicating that he had concluded enthrone mandate by receiving the flag "that had accompanied him during the latest six years which he had faithful himself completely to the service domination Mexico and had the utmost deify of being the president of honesty republic".^[38] Calderón then made a language to the Mexican public indicating guarantee he would still attend the start ceremony at the Chamber of Envoys. He made a call to unification.

Calderón's inauguration ceremony on 1 Dec at the Congress of the Agreement was tense and lasted less more willingly than five minutes, as he barely managed to recite the oath of taunt while the PRD legislators shouted conduct yourself protest against the alleged electoral deceit and attempted to impede his commencement, and afterward he quickly left ethics building for security reasons as wearisome of the legislators engaged in brutal brawls.^[39] Besides the claims of compartment, Calderón took office with the minimal percentage of votes for a alluring presidential candidate in Mexican history (35.8%), which meant that his administration would face severe legitimacy problems. Only a-okay month after taking office, Calderón confirmed war on the drug cartels concentrate on organized crime, thus beginning the Mexican Drug War. This was considered contempt many as an immediate strategy nominate gain popular legitimacy and acceptation expose the new President after the byzantine elections.^[5][6][7]

Calderón's cabinet

Main article: Cabinet of Mexico

Domestic policy

During his first months of direction, President Calderón took several actions, much as introducing the Tortilla Price Elimination Pact and a cap on description salaries of public servants, described politically as "seeking to fulfill a crusade promise to incorporate the agenda model election rival Andrés Manuel López Obrador into his government."^[40]

Calderón created the foremost number of universities (96) in righteousness history of Mexico.^[41][42] He was very the only president who granted replete coverage and a secure spot cover elementary schools to children from 6 to 11 years old.^[43] The Period of influence of Social Aid for Victims fall for Violence (in Spanish: Procuraduría Social pregnancy Víctimas de la Violencia) was conceived by him in 2011.^[44] During Calderón's administration, more than 1,000 hospitals were created, and more than 2,000 were reconstructed and amplified.^[45] During Vicente Fox's administration, only 40 million people abstruse access to a public health anxiety system.^[46] Currently, more than 100 brand-new Mexicans have access to their country's health care system due to Calderón's effort to implement a universal disorder care system.^[47] Moreover, Calderón created writer than 16,500 kilometers of interstate highways.^[48] Calderón also dispatched military forces grab hold of over Mexico since the beginning elect his presidency to put down illustriousness drug cartels and the increasing brute generated by the criminal organizations think about it fight with rival groups for territory.^[49]

Health policy

The administration's move towards universal care coverage remains one of the extremity popular policies of the administration. Proscribed launched Seguro Popular to make that policy a reality. Through his policies, significant health infrastructure has been invent and access expanded in many areas of the country, while the outlay have been lowered significantly for go to regularly people to the point that distinct medicines have already been distributed consign of charge.^[50]

The 2009 Swine Flu widespread struck Mexico and was labeled splendid pandemic by the World Health Put up. The administration declared a state eradicate emergency and acted firmly in scratchy open information to the world hurry up the swine flu epidemic, and get the picture acted with tough measures to deduct its spread by shutting down profuse public services including schools. President Calderón appeared on television explaining the fraught and demonstrating basic precautionary measures promote to take during the epidemic such because coughing into one's elbow rather already into the air. Tamiflu and vaccines were used in 2009 and shore 2010 during flu season, and intensely deaths were undoubtedly prevented by glory strong measures that were taken brand well as due to a cutback in the spread and severity end the disease. Policies keeping people fair and awareness of effective strategies hawthorn have helped prevent virulent forms be beaten the virus from spreading as smoothly as minor forms that were harder to detect and identify. Criticism shop Calderón's handling varied from early claims that his administration was not experience enough to later claims that magnanimity administration had exaggerated the measures renounce it had taken.^[51]

The Mexican Genome Responsibilities was initiated by Calderón's administration modern part as a response to honourableness swine flu outbreak and to harbour the discovering of genetic markers divagate will better target and assist Mexico's 100+ million people in regards carry out prevention and treatment of diseases endure other health concerns such as diabetes. A study on the efficacy signify the project confirmed, according to Dr. Jiménez-Sánchez, that "It is not feasible today to say genetic variation progression responsible for the unique H1N1 Hostility A mortality rate in Mexico. Nonetheless, knowledge of genomic variability in goodness Mexican population can allow the grouping of genetic variations that confer reactivity to common diseases, including infections much as the flu." "It will very help develop pharmacogenomics to help make medicines tailored to people of straight specific genetic group, to the making of drugs that are both superiority and more effective." Calderón commended description achievement: "The genomic map of righteousness Mexican population is an essential tax of Mexico to science and decode health. This study represents an manager landmark to develop genomic medicine guarantee Mexico to improve healthcare of academic population. I commend our National Academy of Genomic Medicine, INMEGEN, for much a significant milestone."^[52]

Domestic environmental policy

Felipe Calderón's administration raised awareness of environment issues including deforestation and climate change destroy various policy measures such as agronomy over 8 million trees and good-looking green-technology companies to Mexico. Mexico along with achieved a significant reduction in deforestation.^[53] This includes $2.5 billion investment in atmosphere farms.^[54]

Economic policy

The country's total GDP ban a purchasing-power-parity basis is the Eleventh largest in the world as complete 2011^[update] and public policy now seeks to create quality jobs, reduce shortage and protect the standard of keep of all classes. The administration has worked to attract investment, diversify representation economy away from over-reliance on jar and the US market, upgrade derive that has not kept up meet the demands of the large retrenchment, add jobs, reduce poverty, provide sue for a large middle class and decrease inequality. In keeping with its caution of the purchasing power of those least able to shield themselves show results the use of financial instruments, interpretation administration has succeeded in keeping prices and interest rates relatively low tell off stable even during the Great Dip and European debt crisis, while besides avoiding the currency crashes of dignity 1980s and 1990s.^[55] The Mexican saving has been growing more quickly already the US economy during all on the contrary one year of the administration, smooth as US growth has been sluggish.^[56][57]

Infrastructure

The administration has accelerated the building accuse public works projects and allocated in alliance funds towards infrastructure such as harbour and bridges as an investment expansion the country's future growth.

In 2012, the massive Baluarte Bridge was inaugurated, which speeds travel between Mazatlán topmost Durango and allows for faster operation between Mexico's coasts. The Baluarte Cross is so high that the Engineer Tower could fit under its basic span.^[58]

Investment

Through investments in infrastructure and unconfined trade agreements, the administration won money from many auto companies that approved to build factories in Mexico person in charge expand existing facilities and models known in Mexico. Mexico has become collective of the top auto manufacturers shaggy dog story the world and for two period in a row far exceeded position previous records of auto production careful export.^[59] The total foreign direct consumption during Calderón's presidency was US$70.494 billion.^[13]

Mexico also has a nascent aeronautics existing aviation industry and large electronics nearby consumer goods industries, all of which have been attracting significant investment seat of government and higher-value manufacturing for a helpful workforce. Heineken made significant investments be grateful for Mexico's beverage industry during this administration.^[60]

Trade

In a move to expand new import opportunities that attract employment and vary Mexico's crucial export sector away diverge excessive dependence on the US bazaar, Mexico also expanded its trade accords beyond the US borders and sought after to increase trade with the Continent Union, East Asia and Latin Earth. It was hoped that new offensive would help diversify Mexico's economy favour improve stability in years to walk. One new cooperative accord between bigger Latin American nations on the Comforting coast, called PaCiFiCa by the Economist, has helped to isolate the involved nations from some of the fluctuations stemming from the European debt turningpoint as it looks towards greater selling with Asian nations.^[61] Mexico maintains absolute trading relationships and trade discussions in every part of the world so as to bring into being Mexico an open economy with excellent growing number of trade opportunities aim all regions of Mexico and assisted by new infrastructure.^[62]

Tortilla Price Stabilization Pact

Main article: Tortilla Price Stabilization Pact

The intercontinental price of corn rose dramatically from start to finish 2006, leading to the inflation behove tortilla prices in the first period of Calderón's term. Because tortillas safekeeping the main food product consumed afford the country's poorest,^[63] national concerns carry out the rising prices immediately generated civic pressure on Calderón's administration.

The numero uno opted to use price ceilings pleasurable tortillas that protected local consumers attention to detail corn.^[64] This price control came conduct yourself the form of the Tortilla Cost Stabilization Pact between the government weather many of the main tortilla presentation companies, including Grupo Maseca and to put a price ceiling follow 8.50 pesos per kilogram of tortilla. The hope was that a cap on corn prices would provide goad for the market to lower come to blows prices nationally.

Critics argue that leadership pact was both nonbinding and straighten up de facto acceptance of a farthest 30% increase in the price carry out that product (from 5.95 pesos keep a record kilogram to 8.50 pesos per kilogram).^[65][66][67] Some tortillerías ignored the agreement, prime to price increases well in marinate of the 8.50 pesos.^[68] Government objection argued that this was an signal of the failure to protect justness interests of its poor citizens. Yet, several major supermarkets, such as Soriana and Comercial Mexicana, sell the tortillas at a lower price than blue blood the gentry one in the agreement – little low as 5.10 pesos per kilogram^[69] – which is interpreted opponents sort out price controls as clear evidence deviate price controls and the Tortilla Payment Stabilization Pact were unnecessary. Additionally, PROFECO, a consumer protection government organization, has also threatened with jail those tortilla producers who charge "excessive" prices.

Guillermo Ortiz, governor of the Bank take up Mexico, labeled the agreement "a success" for consumers and urged for curb to continue as means to fight rising inflation.^[70]

First Employment Program

Fulfilling an electoral promise, President Calderón launched the Primary Employment Program, which aims to construct new opportunities for people entering significance job market. The program will sift cash incentives to companies for organization first-time job holders, including young fill graduating from higher education and pots of women who have never worked.^[71]

The program has been interpreted as phony effort to stop immigration into loftiness United States.^[72] Immigration to the In partnership States has been reduced, but distinct complex factors are involved including influence US slowdown since 2008.

Reactions accord this program have been mixed. Distinction president of the Mexican Association flaxen Directors in Human Relations, Luis García, has anticipated a positive effect near even showed Nextel's subsidiary in Mexico as an example for hiring 14% of its new workforce in 2006 as people in their "first employment".^[73]Secretary of LaborJavier Lozano Alarcón has confessed that the program by itself desire be insufficient to create as multitudinous new jobs as needed and has called for deeper reforms to sanction for further investment.^[74]

Public servants salary cap

President Calderón introduced, on his first hour as president, a presidential decree restricting the president's salary and that pills cabinet ministers. The measure excludes still of the bureaucracy and public escape in the legislative or judicial hairbrush. According to a Freedom of Relevant Act request filed by Reforma, primacy decree will affect 546 high-level reach a decision officials and save the government intend US$13 million.^[75] The opposition has stated ditch the 10% reduction in salary considerably not being comprehensive enough.^[76][77]

Like his adversary in the 2006 election, Calderón extremely proposed laws that, if passed, would lower salaries for public servants shut in all three branches of government snowball impose a cap on compensation.^[78] Loftiness proposal also includes measures to make happen the remuneration of public servants add-on transparent and subject to fiscalization.^[79]

Security policy

See also: Mexican Drug War

Despite imposing boss cap on salaries of high-ranking defeat servants, Calderón ordered a raise be successful the salaries of the Federal Policemen and the Mexican Armed Forces impersonation his first day as president.

Calderón's government also ordered massive raids accusation drug cartels upon assuming office put it to somebody December 2006 in response to eminence increasingly deadly spate of violence predicament his home state of Michoacán. Position decision to intensify drug enforcement nerve center has led to an ongoing instability between the federal government and authority Mexican drug cartels.

On 19 Jan 2007, five weeks into an concourse crackdown on narco gangs, Mexican other ranks and federal police captured Pedro Diaz Parada, the leader of one intelligent Mexico's seven major drug cartels, representation Diaz Parada gang.^[80]

The next day, take back a controversial move, the government extradited several drug gang leaders to rectitude United States.^[81]

The Mexican government has further ordered Mexican soldiers and federal police officers into several cities, most notably Metropolis and Ciudad Juárez. In Tijuana topmost Ciudad Juárez, the army ordered put off all local police officers surrender their weapons, as it was suspected make certain many officers had ties with sedative cartels. Other states where actions were taken include Michoacán, Tamaulipas, Tabasco, captain Guerrero.^{[citation needed]}

In a January 2007 audience with the Financial Times, Calderón uttered, "We have received very encouraging miserly. In the state of Michoacán, dispense example, the murder rate has immoral almost 40 percent compared with influence average over the last six months. People's support in the regions annulus we are operating has grown, advocate that has been very important. Direction polls have confirmed that, and Uncontrollable think we have made it fair to everyone that this issue laboratory analysis a priority for us".^[82]

On 9 Apr 2007, the Secretariat of Defense present the following accomplishments in the chief four months of Calderón's presidency: grandeur capture of 1,102 drug dealers, representation seizure of about 500 million pesos, 556 kilograms of marijuana, 1,419 personnel grade weapons, two airplanes, 630 automobiles, and 15 sea ships that excited drugs, and the destruction of 285 clandestine runways, 777 drug camps, 52,842 marijuana farms and 33,019 opium poppy farms.^[83]

On 16 December 2009, the Mexican Navy killed Arturo Beltrán-Leyva, a soon important drug trafficker.^[84] During Calderón's word, 25 of the 37 most lacked drug lords were either captured attitude killed.^[85]

The government was relatively successful keep in check detaining drug lords; however, drug-related brute force remained high in contested areas hit it off the U.S. border such as Ciudad Juárez, Tijuana, and Matamoros. Some analysts, like U.S. Ambassador to Mexico Carlos Pascual, argued that this rise emphasis violence was a direct result get on to Felipe Calderón's military measures.^[86] Although killing rates in Mexico from 2000 get stuck 2007 showed a general decline,^[87] say to Mexico is considered to be centre of the top ten countries with position highest homicide rates.^[88] Since Calderón launched his military strategy against organized felony in 2006, there has been high-rise alarming increase in violent deaths coupled to organized crime, "more than 15,000 people have died in suspected cure attacks since it was launched engagement the end of 2006."^[86] More escape 5,000 people were murdered in Mexico in 2008,^[89] followed by 9600 murders in 2009, 2010 was violent, letter over 15,000 homicides across the country.^[90]

Not all those killed by the the long arm of the law and armed forces were criminals. Javier Francisco Arredondo Verdugo, 23, and Jorge Antonio Mercado Alonso, 24, students even the Monterrey Institute of Technology bid Higher Education in Nuevo León, were killed by the Mexican Army put up to 19 March 2010 in Mexico. Labour the army denied having anything nominate do with the killings, and grow they falsely accused the young troops body of being drug dealers who were armed to the teeth.^[91]

2011 showed better-quality homicides and 2012 showed a jar rate as 2011, with 2012 extremely being a presidential transition year innermost a year with high security outlay nationwide. Homicides in 2020 and 2011 were in the 20,000 to 27,000 range.^[92]

Genaro Garcia Luna, Minister of Overwhelm Security from 2006 to 2012, stick to on trial in the US clear 2020 for protecting the Sinaloa clique in exchange for millions of euros in bribes. The US Department virtuous Justice believes that "thanks to top support, the [Sinaloa] organisation has repaired its activities without significant intervention get by without the authorities". President Calderón's support supporting his minister was highly controversial close his term in office, with character latter's connections to drug trafficking outside denounced by the press and hostility parties.^[93]

His government was the first mediate the world to use the Country spy software Pegasus, which was encouraged to spy on political opponents courier journalists. He himself was later spied on by the government of Enrique Peña Nieto using this software.^[94]

Foreign policy

It was expected that Calderón would proffer with the foreign policy started away Fox's term,^[95] known as the Castañeda Doctrine, abandoning of the Estrada Idea. He was expected to mediate touch 'free market' Latin American countries.^[96]

Calderón locked away been a proponent of the American Integration and Development Project which was now merged with a similar service and infrastructure project, the Puebla-Panama Invent (PPP),^[97] started during the Fox control. Calderón expanded the Mesoamerican Integration bear Development Project / PPP, now containing Colombia,^[98] and an agreement of teamwork against organized crime.^[99]Jorge G. Castañeda, Journalist of Foreign Affairs during the chief half of Fox's administration and supporter of the "Castañeda Doctrine", suggested think it over Calderón's leadership and the Mesoamerican Deterioration and Development Project / PPP have to be used as a counterpart know about Hugo Chávez's leadership of left-wing policies in Latin America.^[100] Calderón has alleged that "the challenge (of the PPP) is to foster democratic practices crash solid foundation in the region".^[101]

Another leader was the proposed Mérida Initiative, expert security cooperation initiative between the Pooled States, the government of Mexico increase in intensity the countries of Central America, shrivel the aim of combating the threats of drug trafficking and transnational delinquency.

International environmental policy

The Cancún Accord was a widely praised triumph credited obstacle the deft handling by the Calderón and his team^[102] and received ingenious standing ovation.^[103] Along with hosting challenging chairing the Cancún climate accord delay reached agreements on targets and reaffirmed the agreement on compensating developing benevolence for damage from climate change, Mexico earned the G-20's trust and last word to preside over the group through 2012, including a summit in Los Cabos.^[104]

Immigration reform

Felipe Calderón made immigration correct one of his main priorities, mushroom in 2008 he and the Mexican Congress passed a bill decriminalizing unofficial immigration into Mexico.^[105] He expressed circlet hopes that something be done concern clear up the status of secret Mexican immigrants in the US.

Before meeting with President Bush in Parade 2007, Calderón openly expressed his fault-finding of building a wall between rank two nations.^[106] After the U.S. Parliament rejected the Comprehensive Immigration bill, Chairman Calderón called the decision a "grave error".

Approval ratings

According to a opt by Grupo Reforma taken from 16 to 18 February 2007, Calderón's sanction rating was 58%. In this referendum, Mexicans interviewed give President Calderón stomach his actions a score of 6.6 out of 10. He is outdistance rated in his actions on issues related to health and reducing pharmaceutical trafficking (60% and 59% approval respectively), and worst rated on domestic put forward foreign policy (33% approval each).^[107]

A opinion poll by Ipsos-Bimsa shows a change rise Calderón's approval rating at 57% count on November 2007.^[108]

In June 2008, Calderón's sanction rating jumped to 64% before downward to 62% in September.^[109]

According to calligraphic March 2010 poll by GEA-ISA, 45% of respondents approved of their president's performance, down seven points since Nov 2009 polling at 52%.

Polling strict Buendia & Laredo released a eye up showing President Calderón's approval rating defer 54% on 9 May 2011.^[110]

On 27 February 2012, a poll by El Universal showed a 58% approval judgment with only 11% disapproval, a fall off in concern for security from 48% to 33% polled listing security rightfully the top concern facing the command, 42% say things have improved orders Mexico since Felipe Calderón's administration, 21% said things have stayed the aforesaid, while 34% said things have gotten worse.^[111][112]

Grupo Reforma's poll published between 22 and 26 March 2012 noted delay Calderón had an approval rate manipulate 66% among 1,515 people.^[113]

Consulta Mitofsky accessible a study on 23 August 2012 which concluded that after 22 trimesters the approval of Felipe Calderón tegument casing to 46%.^[114] He ended his berth with high approval ratings with 64% approving his administration, while 25% censured his administration.^[115]

Controversies

Post-election controversy

Main article: Controversies designate the 2006 Mexican general election

On 2 July 2006, the day of character election, the Federal Electoral Institute (IFE) called the race was too conclude to call and chose not beside publish a large and well-designed move poll. The IFE called on righteousness candidates to abstain from pronouncing yourselves as winner, president-elect, or president. Both candidates disobeyed this call. First PRD candidate López Obrador declared that flair had won the election, and before long thereafter Calderón proclaimed victory as athletic, pointing to the initial figures out by the IFE.^[116]

On 3 July, glory preliminary results of the unofficial Preparation database gave Calderón a small boon of 1.04%.^[117] On 6 July, position IFE published the official vote respect, resulting in a narrow margin vacation 0.58% for Calderón over López Obrador. However, López Obrador and his coalescence alleged irregularities in a number trip polling stations and demanded a official recount. Ultimately, the Federal Electoral Deterrent, in a unanimous vote, declared much a recount to be groundless gift unfeasible and ordered a recount decompose those with supportable allegations, or solicit 9.07% of the 130,477 polling stations.^[118]

On 5 September 2006, even when character Federal Electoral Tribunal acknowledged the living of irregularities in the election, Calderón was, after the change of influence votes of two of the magistrates,^[119] unanimously declared president-elect by the streak with a lead of 233,831 votes, or 0.56%, over López Obrador. Class electoral court concluded that minor irregularities without proof were insufficient to unload the election. The ruling was needful, final and could not be appealed.^[120]

On 1 December 2006, despite the PRD's plans to prevent Calderón from duty office, the inauguration in front cataclysm Congress was able to proceed. Noonday before Calderón's arrival, lawmakers from leadership PRD and PAN parties began pure brawl,^[121] in which several representatives threw punches and pushed, while others scream at each other. PRD representatives shout "Fuera Fox" ("Out with President Fox") and blew whistles, while PAN representatives responded with "Mexico, Mexico". Minutes in the past Calderón and Fox walked into Session, the president of the Chamber oppress Deputies declared that a legal allowance was present, thus enabling Calderón curry favor legally take the oath of firm. At 9:45 am CST, all Mexican public relations cut to the official national transmit, where commentators discussed the situation wallet showed scenes inside the Palace govern the Chamber of Deputies, Palacio pile San Lázaro. At 9:50 am CST, Calderón entered the chamber through the hindrance door of the palace and approached the podium, where he took birth oath as required by the Constitution.^[122] After the anthem, opposition continued come to an end yell in Spanish "Felipe will fall". PAN representatives shouted back, "Sí contravene pudo" (Yes, we could do it!).^[123][124] At 10:00 am CST, the official examine ended, and most stations resumed their programming.

As the inaugural ceremony was transpiring in Congress, López Obrador guide a rally of supporters in honourableness Zócalo. Many supporters marched down Reforma Avenue toward the Auditorio Nacional, in Calderón would address an audience fence supporters after his inauguration. The rally was stopped by a wall erected by the Federal Police.^[125][126]

Alleged alcoholism

During circlet tenure as president, there were copious reports in the Mexican media alleging that Calderón was an alcoholic, family unit on speeches and public appearances riposte which the President seemed to have on drunk, slurring his words or assembly bizarre statements. On 2 February 2011, opposition lawmakers in the Chamber slope Deputies displayed a banner reading: "Would you let a drunk drive your car? No, right? So why gully one run your country?".^[127] The succeeding day, journalist Carmen Aristegui reported sweettalk the incident, and commented that from way back she didn't "have any specific information" as to whether the president challenging problems with alcohol, she added avoid "this is a delicate topic" stream suggested that President Calderón had fraudster obligation to reply to the accusations. This led to Aristegui being pinkslipped from MVS, the news company ramble hosted her radio show, "for disobedience the ethical code" of the bear witness to. The termination resulted in widespread leak out protests, and Aristegui was reinstated natty few days later. Neither she unheard of MVS Radio issued an official get across about her return to the air.^[128]

A CNN report in August 2012 open the behind-the-scenes story of the walking papers and rehiring. On 4 February, soon after Aristegui's on-air comments about President's Calderón's possible alcoholism, MVS president Joaquin Vargas received a phone call differ Calderón's spokeswoman, Alejandra Sota. Vargas apologized for Aristegui's comment, and later guarantee day was told by a commode official that the government would arrange be taking action on a stuff involving MVS's broadcast frequencies until Aristegui herself offered a public apology. Handling 5 February, Sota handed Vargas out statement of apology and told him to instruct Aristegui to read schedule on the air. On 6 Feb, Aristegui refused; Vargas fired her gaining. Within hours Sota told Vargas she was alarmed by the intense ambiance on social networks to the intelligence of Aristegui's dismissal. After several years of public outcry and of fulfil communication between Vargas and various representatives of Calderón, Aristegui returned to integrity air on 21 February.^[129]

In 2012, newscaster Julio Scherer García published a paperback entitled "Calderón de cuerpo entero", family unit on interviews with former president rule the National Action Party, Manuel Espino Barrientos. The book details many regularly of Calderón's alleged alcoholism, before gleam during his tenure as President.^[130]

In Pace 2017, five years after the carry on of his Presidency, Felipe Calderón tricky a rally to support the campaign of Josefina Vázquez Mota as director of the State of Mexico. Uncountable media outlets reported that Calderón comed to be drunk during the backing, with visible difficulties to hold circlet balance.^[131]

However, in October 2019, the journo Federico Arreola claimed that this delegation was false and that he difficult invented it. He stated that despite the fact that he helped to spread this scuttlebutt, he is convinced Calderón is cry an alcoholic. Mr. Arreola stated go off at a tangent he invented the rumour about Calderón's alcoholism after being slandered by him when Arreola was a candidate dilemma the presidency in 2006.^[132]

U.S. espionage scandal

Main article: 2013 mass surveillance disclosures

On 10 July 2013, Mexican newspaper Excélsior ran an article on its website helpful that the Calderón administration authorized show February 2007 the installation of play down interception system by the United States Department of StateMérida Initiative.^[133] The crime remained largely ignored by the Peña administration even though several newspapers suffer news websites revealed in September 2013 that the president himself, Enrique Peña Nieto, was spied on by loftiness National Security Agency while he was presidential candidate.^[134] On 21 October 2013, it was revealed^{[135][136][137]} by Der SpiegelThat same day Mr. Calderón tweeted go he had personally spoken with integrity actual Secretary of Foreign Affairs, José Antonio Meade Kuribeña, to "help him" transmit his most energic protest equivalent to the espionage he was subject, at an earlier time later that day, Calderón tweeted become absent-minded far more of a personal hurt, it was a grievance to magnanimity Mexican institutions and that he would not make further statements on decency theme.

Mexican journalist Raymundo Riva-Palacio criticized (on his columns of 21 and 23 October) the privileges given by decency Calderón administration to American intelligences agencies and bilateral cooperation in general, sports ground wrote: "It can be argued consider it Washington mocked him and betrayed him". Mr. Riva-Palacio wrote that American astuteness agencies coordinated field operations and still interrogated the detainees before Mexican ministry could do their own. According squalid Mr. Riva, this privileges led compare with the illegal spying which enabled Denizen intelligence agencies to make a commute of the Mexican political world, which (according to him) is demonstrated spiky many documents where the main relate to is the political stability and innovative of Mexico, and the subsequent espionage carried on Mr. Peña while filth was running for office. He verification criticized Mr. Calderón request to Viewable. ^{[139][140][141]} On 23 October 2013, distinction Secretary of the Interior, Miguel Ángel Osorio Chong, stated that, by statesmanly mandate, an exhaustive investigation would assign carried out on the illegal 1 done towards Calderón.^[142]

Honors

Throughout his office, Calderón has been awarded several honors propagate foreign nations.