Extended Interview: Mexican President Peña Nieto pledges shift in drug policy, but US influence, military role remains intact

Mexico’s new president Enrique Peña Nieto promises to change the course of the country’s war on drugs by upholding human rights and defending public safety. In a speech before the National Council on Public Security this month, Peña Nieto unveiled a plan to use paramilitary forces to fight crime and pledged to compensate victims of abuse. But it remains to be seen whether or not his policies will differ from that of his predecessor, Felipe Calderon, whose war against drugs led to increased militarization. During Calderon’s term more than 60,000 people were killed and tens of thousands more disappeared. For more, we’re joined by Laura Carlsen, director of the Americas Program of the Center for International Policy in Mexico City.  This is an extended version of the interview we broadcast.