Source: Reuters and BBCMexico's attorney general has resigned, Mexican media said on Thursday, as the government battles to contain growing nationwide drug violence and to keep cartel suspects behind bars.
Dailies Reforma and Milenio said on their websites that Arturo Chavez, who became Mexico's top prosecutor in 2009, stepped down amid criticism over failed attempts to prosecute more than two dozen officials accused of corruption in Michoacan, President Felipe Calderon's home state.
Mr Chavez had been leading efforts to tackle Mexico's violent drugs cartels and reform the justice system for 18 months.
He said he was leaving for urgent personal reasons.
Mr Chavez is to be replaced by investigative prosecutor Marisela Morales, who will be Mexico's first female attorney general.
President Calderon thanked Mr Chavez for his service, saying he had helped bring many cartel leaders to justice.
"His work has been fundamental to Mexico's efforts to establish the rule of law and guarantee security," he said.
The appointment of Marisela Morales must still be approved by the senate.
President Calderon said her mission would be "to deepen the strategic role of the attorney general's office, in particular in the fight against organised crime".
Earlier this month Ms Morales, 41, was given a bravery award by the US government for her role in the fight against drug trafficking.
Criticism
The resignation of Arturo Chavez comes three weeks after the whistle-blowing website Wikileaks released a US diplomatic cable describing his appointment in 2009 as "totally unexpected and inexplicable".
In his previous role as the top prosecutor in Chihuahua state, he was accused of mishandling investigations into the murder of women in Ciudad Juarez on the US border.
He is the second attorney general to resign since President Calderon began deploying the army to fight drug-trafficking gangs in 2006.
Around 35,000 people have since been killed in drug-related violence.
Mexico has a senate?...lol...
ReplyDeleteHere is Mexicos biggest problem;
ReplyDelete---------------------------------------------
"Arturo Chavez, who became Mexico's top prosecutor in 2009, stepped down amid criticism over failed attempts to prosecute more than two dozen officials accused of corruption in Michoacan, President Felipe Calderon's home state."
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Shit rolls downhill...
Arturo Chavez resigned to save his family and his own life. He was undoubtedly being threatened left and right.
ReplyDeleteOne of the toughest jobs anywhere in the world.
ReplyDeleteAnyone who can't comprehend that these people lives get threatend left and right don't know shit. Try prosecuting thousands of killers in Mexico, not knowing which fraction might target you.
You don't know until you live in their shoes!
If your life and your families life were in danger what choice would you make?
I salute those who live and take positions in harm.
A great man once said.
" The only way for evil to truimph is for good men to do nothing "
The good people of Mexico will prevail.
Saludos,