Mexico President Vicente Fox acknowledged an increase in his personal security Monday after authorities alleged that a member of his staff channeled information to drug lords.
Last week, federal authorities detained Nahum Acosta, director of the office coordinating the president's travel, alleging he passed at least part of Fox's plans to an organized drug gang, according to Attorney General Rafael Macedo de la Concha. Information on the president's movements is restricted for security reasons.
"I've intensified the vigilance not only inside the prisons and within police institutions but also within the administration because this has arrived at the level of the presidency," Fox said in a radio interview.
Since Fox took office in 2000, his administration has been praised by U.S. officials for taking action against the powerful and ruthless drug-smuggling syndicates.
A leak within the president's office has raised concern that drug traffickers — who often kill federal, state and local officials — could more easily target the president.
