PARIS, January 29, 2026
Sciences Po Protest: Former Mexican President Confronted Over Drug War Deaths
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Students at the prestigious Paris Institute of Political Studies vocally protested the presence of former Mexican President Felipe Calderón, accusing him of responsibility for widespread violence during his term.
- Former Mexican President Felipe Calderón was met with protests at Sciences Po in Paris on Wednesday.
- Students shouted “murderer!” and demanded he leave the premises.
- The demonstration stemmed from criticism of Calderón’s security policy, which saw a doubling of violence during his presidency (2006-2012).
- A student newspaper article preceding the event detailed the human cost of Calderón’s war on drugs.
Felipe Calderón Hinojosa faced a hostile reception at the Paris Institute of Political Studies (Sciences Po) this Wednesday, as students loudly denounced his administration’s security policies. Shouts of “murderer!” and “murderer, get out!” echoed as Calderón prepared to participate in a summit titled “Wanted: a UN Secretary General for a Fractured World.”
The Weight of a War on Drugs
The student protest centered on the security strategy implemented during Calderón’s six-year term, from 2006 to 2012. Critics point to a dramatic increase in violence during this period, with over 280,000 deaths attributed to the conflict. What was the impact of Calderón’s drug war? The policy, while intended to combat organized crime, is widely seen as having failed to improve public safety and instead contributed to the fragmentation of criminal groups and a long-term deterioration of security conditions in Mexico.
Prior to Calderón’s visit, The Barge, the student newspaper at Sciences Po, published an article titled “The human cost of the war on drugs: a critical reflection on Felipe Calderón’s visit to Sciences Po.” Lucía Aguilar, the author, highlighted the devastating consequences of the war on drugs waged during Calderón’s presidency for the country.
“Often presented as a necessary security strategy against organized crime, this policy not only caused massive human suffering – including widespread violations of human rights and Mexico’s obligations under international law, as well as more than 280,000 deaths – but it also failed to improve public safety. On the contrary, it contributed to the fragmentation of criminal groups, an escalation of violence and a long-term deterioration of security conditions in Mexico,” the article detailed.
A Legacy of Violence and Imprisonment
Students specifically criticized Calderón for appearing “to give lessons” despite the devastating results of his administration. Mexico continues to grapple with a severe violence crisis, a direct consequence, they argue, of a security strategy overseen by Genaro García Luna, currently imprisoned in the United States on charges related to drug trafficking.
Quick fact: Genaro García Luna, the former Secretary of Public Security under Calderón, was convicted in the U.S. in 2023 for accepting bribes from the Sinaloa Cartel.
The protest underscores the enduring controversy surrounding Calderón’s legacy and the ongoing debate over the effectiveness – and human cost – of Mexico’s approach to combating drug trafficking.
