Forty years since halconazo, The Corpus Christi Massacre

June 10, 1971: Paramilitary thugs created and financed by the PRI and known as Los Halcones massacred more than 100 students of youth, demonstrating again the true face of the PRI dictatorship. Many young would even take up arms against a regime that, when pushed, would not hesitate to squash dissent.


La Jornada reminds us that of the accused murderers and masterminds, only former president Luis Echeverría Álvarez remains alive.

Some particularly recommended background reading: The National Security Archive´s electronic briefing book "The Corpus Christi Massacre," which include declassified documents on the U.S. role in the cover-up.

Is Elba Esther Gordillo actually serious about aviadores?

Seeming leader-for-life of the Mexican teachers union SNTE, Elba Esther Gordillo, spoke out against so-called aviadores, or those registered and covering pay as teachers yet never setting their foot in a classroom. She even called on state governments to act against them as it "discredits" the SNTE.

Given that the notorious practice of aviadores has been a long-running trait of the SNTE, it is a bit hard to take Gordillo fully at her word her. Indeed, aviadores have been actively been used by SNTE in marches and demonstrations, as organizational personnel, as part of the PANAL party created by SNTE, and other non-teaching tasks that have nonetheless benefited Gordillo and SNTE.

One can only hope that Gordillo has indeed realized herself how much the practice does discredit SNTE and teachers in general in the eyes of the Mexican population, beyond the practical - and monetary - benefits they may offer. But I wouldn´t hold my breath.