Saturday, January 7, 2012

Zedllo, accused of murder, claims immunity

Former President Ernesto Zedillo, facing a lawsuit in Hartford, Connecticut for the 1997 Acteal massacre in Chiapas, claims immunity from persecution as a former head of state.

The Acteal massacre was the worst singular violent act during his presidency - 45 civilians, including infants, were murdered by death squads. The indigenous were accused of backing the EZLN insurgency by a PRI-linked paramilitary group.

From what I gather, there is absolutely no evidence it was sanctioned by the national government, which, however, was strongly criticized for doing nothing while the massacre took place, and little to punish the perpetrators.

Mario Delgado steps down from Mexico City mayor contest

Long regarded the dauphin of Mexico City Mayor Marcelo Ebrard, education secretary Mario Delgado nonetheless stepped down from the contest yesterday, having failed to gain much traction, and in doing so, clearing the path further for Miguel Mancera, the city's popular attorney general-procurator.

I am currently in Mexico City and can't help but note how electoral law is being quite shamelessly flouted by pretty much every one of the many candidates to be the left's mayor, in spirit at the very least. It is unfortunately quite understandable, as the left coalition will decide its candidate by a poll - which is to a large extent about name recognition for many at this stage. What better way to get your name known than plastering your posters all over the city, "giving" interviews that will get you on the front cover of news magazines, or holding well-publicized informes or speeches on the results of your (secretariat, legislative, etc) work.

Also, a lot of exhortations to denounce illegal behavior of all sorts to "www.tuprocu.mx" or "your attorney general." Sure, it's a great idea to bring the office and services of the city's attorney general closer to the people; it is also an excellent way to publicize what you do.

Count on Mancera snapping the nomination, and to likely be the mayor of Mexico City 2012-2018.

Update: Mancera stepped down from the government to pursue the candidacy.