Felipe Calderón served as the 63rd president of Mexico from 2006 to 2012, presiding over a term defined by a significant escalation in federal military engagement against organized crime. A trained lawyer and economist, he rose through the National Action Party ranks, eventually securing a narrow electoral victory in 2006 before navigating his administration through global economic instability and a domestic health crisis.
Early Career and Education
Born in 1962 in Morelia, Calderón was raised in a political environment as the son of Luis Calderón Vega, a co-founder of the National Action Party. He pursued legal studies at the Escuela Libre de Derecho in Mexico City and later earned a master's degree in economics from the Instituto Tecnológico Autónomo de México. In 2000, he completed a Master of Public Administration at the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University. He entered elective office early, serving as a member of the Chamber of Deputies of Mexico between 1991 and 1994, and again from 2000 to 2003, while also leading his party from 1996 to 1999.
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Take the IQ test →The Presidency and the Drug War
Upon taking office in 2006, Calderón prioritized a federal security offensive against drug cartels, initiating Operation Michoacán within ten days of his inauguration. During his six-year term, approximately 60,000 individuals were reported killed in violence associated with this conflict. Homicide rates rose steadily during the initial years of his administration, peaking in 2010 before observing a decline during his final two years in office. His security strategy faced later scrutiny following the 2023 conviction of his former Secretary of Public Security, Genaro García Luna, in the United States on charges related to drug trafficking.
Economic Policy and Administration
Calderón navigated the impact of the Great Recession by implementing a countercyclical financial package in 2009. These measures contributed to a national debt increase from 22.2% to 35% of GDP by 2012. Throughout his presidency, he oversaw the creation of ProMéxico to stimulate international trade, the establishment of the Agencia Espacial Mexicana in 2010, and the founding of the Pacific Alliance in 2011. His administration also achieved universal healthcare coverage through the expansion of Seguro Popular and designated sixteen new Protected Natural Areas.
Fast facts
- Born: 1962, Morelia, Mexico
- President of Mexico: 2006-2012
- Party: National Action Party (until 2018)
- Education: Escuela Libre de Derecho, ITAM, Harvard Kennedy School
- Secretary of Energy: 2003-2004
- Awards: Knight of the Order of the Elephant (2008)
- Awards: Champions of the Earth (2011)
Questions readers ask
What was the result of the 2006 presidential election?
Calderón won by a margin of 0.6% over Andrés Manuel López Obrador, a result confirmed by the Federal Electoral Tribunal after a period of dispute.
Did Calderón remain in the National Action Party after his presidency?
No, he was a member for 30 years but resigned from the party in November 2018.
