Ambitious Reform Plan in Mexico

Earlier this week, aides of Mexican President-elect Vicente Fox unveiled a program that, implemented correctly, could create a new rule of law in Mexico. Among the proposals is a call to overhaul the federal police and prosecutor’s offices. Another would demilitarize the struggle against drug traffickers, putting enforcement in the hands of police. A third would eliminate the enforcement side of the powerful Secretariat of the Interior, the president’s political arm on national security matters, by removing its police and creating an FBI-style Federal Agency of Investigation.

These bold proposals respond to a citizenry frustrated by soaring crime and lax application of justice. But knowing what has to be done is one thing and being able to do it is another.

Take, for instance, the proposal to reduce the role of the army in combating the drug menace. Ever since the government decided to deploy the military to combat drug lords there have been objections from judges, politicians, journalists and common citizens. The main argument is that exposing the military to the influence of major drug criminals risks corruption in the army, potentially leaving Mexico without its last line of defense. The 1997 arrest of Gen. Jesus Gutierrez Rebollo, the commander of the country’s anti-drug program, on charges of complicity with the illegal drug trade confirmed the fears of many.

The army has more than 20,000 troops under deployment to eradicate drug cultivation. It will take some time to train such a large civilian force in this task.

In the coming months Fox needs to discuss specifically how he will attempt to curtail drug crime and clean house among the military and police. Failure could open the door to further disintegration of the rule of law.