Mexico shakes up Cabinet

MEXICO CITY – Mexican President Felipe Calderon announced Monday the resignation of Attorney General Eduardo Medina-Mora, his point man in the offensive against drug cartels, but gave no indication that the current strategy of full confrontation with the gangs would change.

At a ceremony announcing Cabinet changes, including the resignations of the agricultural secretary and head of the state-owned oil company, Medina-Mora predicted history would judge the tough approach with drug gangs as correct.

“The historic decision to use all the power of the state to put a stop to the power of the criminal organizations was fundamental to ensure our future as a nation,” Medina-Mora said, referring to an offensive launched when Calderon took office in late 2006 and in which 13,500 people have been killed in drug-related violence.

Cabinet changes at midterm are not unusual in Mexico. Calderon gave no explanation for the officials leaving.