Mexican archdiocese urges candidates to avoid organized crime

Mexico City, Mexico, Jan 17, 2012 / 13:31 pm

The Catholic newspaper in Mexico City, Desde la Fe, is calling on Mexican presidential candidates to “distance themselves from organized crime, criminal groups and negative interests.”

In an editorial published on Jan. 15, Desde la Fe said it is better to be an independent, moral candidate than a manipulated and pressured government leader.”

Mexico will hold its presidential elections on July 1.

The newspaper underscored that now is the time to remind candidates “that a political career should be understood …  as a path toward becoming a public servant, whose only objective should be to seek the good of all citizens and the nation.”

“In this sense, the minimum expected at this time is civility in the contest; our democratic processes should not again descend into dirty tricks, attacks and cavernous strategies of power, coercion and contempt,” the newspaper said.

Desde la Fe then asked the media not to cover the electoral race as if “it were a more of a show instead of a civic exercise that implies a serious social commitment” and to provide useful information on the vote.

At this time there are just two candidates for president, but the deadline to announce a candidacy is March 22.