“Asesino, lárgate”, estudiantes abuchean a Felipe Calderón durante conferencia en París
PARIS — Former Mexican president Felipe Calderón faced a hostile reception during a conference in Paris after being invited to speak at the Institute of Political Studies of Paris (an academic venue focused on international politics and security).
What Happened at the Event
As Calderón was introduced ahead of his talk, students booed loudly and chanted insults, including: “Murderer, murderer, get out.”
Calderón responded with a visible gesture of disapproval, shaking his head as the audience voiced rejection.
“¡Asesino, asesino!”, “¡lárgate!”
— Beatriz (@bethcastilloo) January 28, 2026
Así le gritaron a Felipe Calderón los estudiantes de Sciences Po. pic.twitter.com/rs0oAqc0vT
Why Students Protested
The backlash was mainly tied to Calderón’s presidency from 2006 to 2012, when he led Mexico’s war against drug trafficking. His strategy relied on deploying federal forces and the military to confront major drug cartels across the country.
Critics argue this approach escalated instability by:
- Intensifying clashes between criminal groups
- Increasing violence that affected civilians
- Contributing to a death toll reported as more than 50,000 deaths, along with thousands displaced in multiple regions
Esta es la cara que puso el expresidente espurio, Felipe Calderón, cuando le preguntaron en Sciences Po cómo pretende dar lecciones cuando dejó un país sumido en la violencia, y su guerra contra el narco cobró miles de vidas en México.
— Beatriz (@bethcastilloo) January 28, 2026
Ni perdón ni olvido para este asesino. pic.twitter.com/sOuKc1mBks
Debate Over His Security Strategy
During his term, Calderón defended the policy of direct confrontation as necessary for national security. However, the strategy was widely criticized by human rights organizations and academics, who highlighted:
- Insufficient prevention and social policies
- High impact on civilian populations
- Long-term consequences for public safety and human rights
What the Incident Signifies
The protest in Paris shows how Calderón’s legacy remains controversial even internationally, especially in academic spaces where students and young professionals often scrutinize government decisions on security and human rights.
It also underlines the polarization surrounding Calderón years after his administration ended. The incident adds to a pattern of public appearances in Europe, where he has been invited to discuss international politics, economics, and security, but continues to provoke sharply divided reactions.
