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Mexican president Pena Nieto to overhaul police Mexican president Pena Nieto to overhaul police
(about 1 hour later)
Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto has announced plans to overhaul the country's municipal police forces after the disappearance of 43 students.Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto has announced plans to overhaul the country's municipal police forces after the disappearance of 43 students.
He said that all local police units would be placed under federal control. He plans to put all local police units under federal control.
The students, all trainee teachers, went missing in September after joining a protest in Iguala, Guerrero state.The students, all trainee teachers, went missing in September after joining a protest in Iguala, Guerrero state.
Their disappearance sparked mass protests, with many still unconvinced by the official explanation that the students were murdered by a drugs gang.Their disappearance sparked mass protests, with many still unconvinced by the official explanation that the students were murdered by a drugs gang.
Mayor's arrestMayor's arrest
In a televised speech, President Pena Nieto said that "Mexico must change".In a televised speech, President Pena Nieto said that "Mexico must change".
He announced proposals for a series of constitutional reforms that would allow the country's 1,800 municipal forces to be dissolved and taken over by state agencies.He announced proposals for a series of constitutional reforms that would allow the country's 1,800 municipal forces to be dissolved and taken over by state agencies.
The overhaul would begin in Mexico's four most violent states, he added - Tamaulipas, Jalisco, Michoacan and Guerrero. The reforms would also enable Congress to dissolve local governments infiltrated by drug cartels.
The overhaul would begin in Mexico's four most violent states, he said - Tamaulipas, Jalisco, Michoacan and Guerrero.
Guerrero is where the 43 students vanished on 26 September.Guerrero is where the 43 students vanished on 26 September.
They had been attacked by local police in Iguala after attending a labour rights demonstration.They had been attacked by local police in Iguala after attending a labour rights demonstration.
Under President Pena Nieto's plans, the thousands of local police forces would come under the control of the 31 federal state governments. Under President Pena Nieto's plans, the thousands of local police forces would come under the control of the 31 federal state governments, and the capital.
The proposals would also seek to simplify the way in which crimes are currently dealt with at a federal, state or local level, the Associated Press news agency reported. Corruption within the police force, especially the municipal police, is rife. Officers are often offered money or threatened by the country's powerful drugs gangs.
Key proposed reforms:
The proposals would also seek to simplify the way in which crimes are currently dealt with at a federal, state or local level.
Some local police forces refuse to deal with federal crimes such as drug trafficking.Some local police forces refuse to deal with federal crimes such as drug trafficking.
The reforms are due to be presented to Congress next week.The reforms are due to be presented to Congress next week.
President Pena Nieto had faced widespread criticism over the students' disappearance, despite vowing to track down those responsible.President Pena Nieto had faced widespread criticism over the students' disappearance, despite vowing to track down those responsible.
Relatives of the missing have led mass protests across the country to express their anger at the government.Relatives of the missing have led mass protests across the country to express their anger at the government.
The official explanation offered by the Mexican authorities is that the students were murdered by a drugs gang, but family and supporters say they are unconvinced. The official explanation offered by the Mexican authorities is that the students were murdered by a drugs gang.
The gang was said to be in collusion with the mayor of Iguala, Jose Luis Abarca, who has been arrested facing accusations that he ordered police to confront the students on the day of their disappearance.
Investigators said that municipal police officers confessed to seizing the students, and later handing them over to the gang.
However, the families of the students, and their supporters, say they are not convinced by the official version of events.
They say they will not believe the students are dead until it has been officially confirmed by Argentine forensic scientists working on the case.
Forensic tests are being carried out on bodies found in mass graves in Guerrero.Forensic tests are being carried out on bodies found in mass graves in Guerrero.
The mayor of Iguala, Jose Luis Abarca, has been arrested and faces accusations that he ordered police to confront the students on the day of their disappearance. In recent years thousands of people have gone missing or been killed after being caught up in drug-related violence.
The case has highlighted the issue of collusion between drug cartels and the Mexican authorities. Several killings or suspected kidnappings have been reported in the past week:
In recent years thousands of people have disappeared or been killed after being caught up in drug-related violence.