Thread: MEXICO PRESIDENT GIVES SOLDIERS A PAY HIKE

Mexico President Gives Soldiers Pay Hike

The Associated Press
Monday, February 19, 2007; 7:20 PM

MEXICO CITY -- Soldiers waging a nationwide offensive against drug traffickers will get a pay hike of nearly 50 percent this year in a bid to insulate them from corruption, Mexican President Felipe Calderon announced Monday.

The increase is the latest move by Calderon to deal with corruption in Mexican law enforcement ranks, where drug traffickers routinely buy off low-paid officers to protect their smuggling routes.

Mexican army soldiers salute during a ceremony to mark the Day of the Army at a military base in Tula, Mexico, Monday Feb. 19, 2007. During the event, President Felipe Calderon announced a 46 percent salary increase for the soldiers, who are becoming increasingly involved in the country's war against drug traffickers. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull) (Gregory Bull - AP)

Since taking power in December, Calderon has sent more than 24,000 soldiers and federal police to areas ravaged by drug violence, including Acapulco, Tijuana and the western state of Michoacan. Calderon has also extradited four cartel kingpins to the United States.

Calderon said that rank-and-file troops who earned $319 a month will now take home $474. The increase is retroactive to Jan. 1.

"I am giving special recognition to their courageous participation in the war that will free us from those who have threatened citizens' security and peace and those who are determined to poison the body and soul of our children and youth," the president said during a ceremony honoring troops. Calderon did not say how much the raise would cost the government.

Calderon has also slashed top government salaries _ including his own _ by 10 percent, but excluded law enforcement authorities and soldiers from those cuts.

The president also said Monday that soldiers will be allowed to participate in a special housing credit program.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/?nav=globaltop

GOOD NEWS! wrote on February 19, 2007 5:05 PM:"The Mexican government is increasing the pay for Mexican Soldiers by 50%, and offering housing incentives. This is a great oportunity for Illegal Alien Men from Mexico to go back and serve their country!"

http://www.nctimes.com/articles/2007/02 ... ogcomments

Skip wrote:

GOOD NEWS! wrote on February 19, 2007 5:05 PM:"The Mexican government is increasing the pay for Mexican Soldiers by 50%, and offering housing incentives. This is a great oportunity for Illegal Alien Men from Mexico to go back and serve their country!"

Will the Mexican military take rapist, murderers, convicted drunk drivers, child molesters, and other felons - what about single moms? If not, guess we'll still be stuck with millions of them.

The Mexican government won't beat out the pay raise that the drug cartels will offer.

Wow!!! Great News!! Now they can buy more bee-bees for their slingshots!! That should bring order to the criminal mindset.

he increase is the latest move by Calderon to deal with corruption in Mexican law enforcement ranks, where drug traffickers routinely buy off low-paid officers to protect their smuggling routes.

He's just trying to insulate himself from a Coup.

That's how crazy it is in Mexico.






Neils
2:35 pm
02/21/2007