Pubdate: Mon, 15 Oct 2007
Source: San Antonio Express-News (TX)
Copyright: 2007 San Antonio Express-News
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Website: http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/384

MORE DRUG WAR PROGRESS

Through the years, Mexico has struggled with corruption fostered by 
drug trafficking.

Which is why it was such positive news that a federal judge in Mexico 
is seeking to extradite Mario Villanueva, the former governor of 
Quintana Roo, to the United States on drug smuggling charges, Reuters 
reported recently.

Villanueva, who spent six years in prison in Mexico City, faces more 
time behind bars on charges of helping to smuggle 200 tons of cocaine 
into the United States.

The incident allegedly occurred in the 1990s. If the former governor 
is extradited, he would become the highest-ranking former Mexican 
official to stand trial on drug-trafficking charges in the United States.

Perhaps even more important, however, the extradition would represent 
yet another move reflecting the aggressive assault against the drug 
cartels since President Felipe Calderon assumed office last year.

It will be a long, hard struggle, perhaps one that can never be won, 
but Mexico is taking significant steps to end the corruption spawned 
by drug cartels.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom