President Pena Nieto Promises Expanded Human and Economic Aid in Michoacan Maurilio Soto - The News
go to original January 22, 2014

Soldiers have been sent to Mexico's Michoacan state to drive out a major drug cartel. They are taking over from the local police after a vigilante group ignored government calls to disarm. The group - a collection of farmers, teachers and other members of the community - is the only force to have had any success in pushing out the Knights Templar gang. Al Jazeera's Rachel Levin reports from Mexico City. (AlJazeeraEnglish)

President Enrique Peña Nieto announced on Tuesday that the federal government will provide human and economic resources to the Meseta Purépecha and Tierra Caliente regions of Michoacán, saying that this aid will help attack the problem of violence in the state at its roots.

“We’re not just working on a strategy to recover control in Michoacán, but we want to truly address the causes that give rise to crime,” Peña Nieto said, adding that he’s ordered Social Development Secretary Rosario Robles to expand the National Crusade Against Hunger in Michoacán, where drug traffickers have been battling self-defense forces.

His comments came during an event in the Xochitiapan municipality in Hidalo commemorating the first anniversary of the launch of the National Crusade Against Hunger. According to the federal government, since the program went into effect, 3 million Mexicans have been given access to regular meals.

Peña Nieto also announced that his government will spend 200 billion pesos ($15 billion) to continue fighting to reduce hunger and malnutrition in Mexico through 70 federal social programs.

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