Posted on 02/07/2005 9:22:26 PM PST by NormsRevenge
MEXICO CITY - President Vicente Fox (news - web sites) acknowledged an increase in his personal security Monday after authorities alleged that a member of his staff channeled information to drug lords.
Federal authorities last week detained Nahum Acosta, director of the office coordinating the president's travel, alleging he passed at least part of Fox's plans to an organized drug gang, according to Attorney General Rafael Macedo de la Concha. Information on the president's movements is restricted for security reasons.
"I've intensified the vigilance not only inside the prisons and within police institutions but also within the administration because this has arrived at the level of the presidency," Fox said in a radio interview.
Since Fox took office in 2000, his administration has been lauded by U.S. officials for taking action against the powerful and ruthless drug-smuggling syndicates.
A leak within the president's office has raised concern that drug traffickers — who often kill federal, state and local officials — could more easily target the president.
Macedo said Monday that his office has "serious" and "convincing" proof of a leak from the president's office and that a judge had ordered that Acosta remain in police custody. He has not been formally charged, however.
There was no evidence that any other employees of the president's office were involved in the information leak, Macedo said.
"If it's a criminal organization, if there are ties with drug trafficking, we'll take action," he said. "We will not permit organized crime ... to keep challenging (government) institutions."
Meanwhile, Fox spoke aggressively, saying no concessions would be made to organized crime groups.
"We're going to give them the mother of all battles and we are going to continue the frontal attack along with state governments," he said, repeating a phrase he has used frequently since his administration announced a nationwide crackdown on crime.
Surrounded by aides and security presonnel, Mexican President Vicente Fox (news - web sites), center, leaves after heading an event to support Asia after the deadly tsunamis in Mexico City, Mexico on Monday Feb. 7, 2005. Last week, federal authorities detained the head of President Vicente Fox's travel staff on suspicions he was feeding information to drug lords, the Attorney General said. (AP Photo/Eduardo Verdugo)
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