**Felipe Calderón Denies Knowledge of García Luna’s Illegal Activities; Marko Cortés Says Former President Still Accountable**
Felipe Calderón, who led Mexico from 2006 to 2012, has distanced himself from the scandal surrounding Genaro García Luna, his former Secretary of Public Security, who was recently sentenced to nearly 39 years in prison by a New York federal judge for accepting bribes from the Sinaloa Cartel. The verdict followed García Luna’s conviction in February 2023 for operating a criminal enterprise and several drug-related conspiracies.
Calderón took to social media to reiterate his commitment to fighting organized crime during his presidency. He stated that although security policies had mixed results, his administration had been making progress against crime by the end of his term. He insisted that he never received any credible evidence linking García Luna to criminal activities from either domestic or international intelligence agencies.
In response to the mounting criticism, Calderón stressed that combating crime wasn’t the job of one individual but of an entire government team. He voiced his respect for the court’s decisions emphasizing that anyone breaking the law should be held accountable.
Marko Cortés, the current leader of the National Action Party, to which Calderón belonged, demanded that the former president explain his association with García Luna and address whether he was aware of or lacked awareness of García Luna’s actions during his administration. Cortés urged that all involved parties in the alleged conspiracies be thoroughly investigated and prosecuted.
**Secondary Article**
**International Reactions and Implications of García Luna’s Conviction**
The conviction of Genaro García Luna has generated international headlines, raising questions about corruption within Mexico’s past governments. U.S. prosecutors framed García Luna as a significant player in facilitating the drug trade during his tenure, with far-reaching implications for cross-border relations and security cooperation between Mexico and the United States.
The fallout from the court’s decision could spur further investigations into other political figures who might have had ties with criminal organizations. Experts suggest that insights from this case could spotlight systemic corruption issues in law enforcement, pushing for reforms within Mexican political and security institutions.
In Mexico, there is growing public demand for accountability, transcending political divisions. Critics argue that both former and current Mexican administrations should reflect on the complicity and rectify security policies to regain public trust and effectively combat organized crime.
Across the border, U.S. officials emphasize the importance of collaboration with Mexican authorities to dismantle drug trafficking networks. This case underscores the urgency of transparent and stringent measures to prevent future alliances between government figures and criminal entities.
Felipe Calderón and other political figures connected to García Luna’s era continue to face intense scrutiny as Mexicans await further revelations and reforms to tackle the persistent challenges posed by organized crime.