Baja California Sur will elect its new governor on Feb. 6 next year, and the processes of choosing candidates for the various parties has been extremely tumultuous and provoked a range of schisms within PRD, which governs the state. The intense internal battle within the left on a national scale has contributed directly to the party's turmoil in this state election. which for the PRD has as much with 2012 as it has to do with Baja California Sur.
The deadline to register electoral coalitions expired this weekend, and the final make-up of electoral coalitions and their candidates is notable: Sudcalifornia para Todos (PRD y PT), with Luis Armando Díaz as its candidate; Unidos por Baja California Sur (PRI-PVEM), with Ricardo Barroso Agramont, and Alianza es Contigo (PAN and Partido Renovación Sudcaliforniana [PRS, a local party), with Marcos Covarrubias Villaseñor.
Notably, Convergencia in the end did not join the PRD and PT but will presnet its own candidate. The lack of a common candidate among the three parties on the surface appear to make no sense; in other places, Andrés Manuel López Obrador, who has much influence over PT and Convergencia, has forbidden the parties to join with PRD if the PRD also want to include PAN, yet this was not the case in Baja California Sur. Yet as both national PRD President Jésus Ortega and Secretary General Hortensia Aragón complained, the election is really about who will control the left ahead of 2012. Again, AMLO will rather see the PRD lose than have it elect a candidate identified with his opponents within the party, yet here he didn't even have the excuse of a PAN alliance to provoke the break-up of the left.
Politics has really come full circle in Baja California Sur. A quick look at the PRD's internal turmoils is quite instructive here. The state went to the PRD after Leonel Cota Montaño, a prominent PRI politician, failed to clinch his party's nomination for governor and jumped on board with the PRD. After Cota stepped down to later become AMLO's hand-picked national head of the PRD, the PRD kept the state with the election of Narciso Agúndez Montaño as governor in 2011. Make a note of his second last name.
When it came to electing PRD's new candidate for governor as well as for key cities and municipal districts, all hell broke loose. Due to much infighting between the supporters of Agúndez Montaño's former interior secretary and favored successor, Armando Díaz, and Marcos Covarrubias, the PRD's National Political Commission, a sort of an overseeing council of elders that is of recent origin and includes representatives of all the major factions in PRD, decided to cancel plans to decide candidates by polls, and the PRD's state council was charged with designating candidates. When they not surprisingly failed to come to an agreement, the party branch leader
Adrián Chávez Ruiz asked the CPN to designate candidates, which drew loud protests from Covarrubias who threatened to leave the party. Notably, Leonel Cota Montaño, despite being governor 1999-2005, wanted to now become mayor of tourist paradise and money cow municipality of Los Cabos, yet when it became clear that he would not be designated candidate, the PRD's former national president loudly ditched the party
The PRD's CPN finally designated Luis Armando Díaz as candidate, and in a move that admittedly smacks of nepotism further placed Narciso Agúndez Montaño, brother of the governor, as candidate for Los Cabos, and former senator Ricardo Gerardo Higuera for La Paz.
Yet the story hardly ends there. Even though Ortega controls the party's national executive committee and not the CPN, Cota loudly accused Ortega of "treason" and criticized the state government for promoting Armando Díaz as its candidate, declaring the worst that could happen to the state would be a candidate of continuity with the style of Narciso Agúndez. Irony of ironies: It was exactly Cota Montaño, with AMLO's blessing, who imposed Agúndez Montaño, his cousin, as the left's gubernatorial candidate in 2004.
More: Cota Montaño left the PRD to join none other than the Green Party (PVEM), which is truly Mexico's most cynical and opportunistic party. As local PRD deputy Víctor Castro noted, the PVEM is not only rightwing, but also an ally of PRI, the supposed arch enemy. Even AMLO expressed his displeasure with Cota's choice of new partner.
Then, Cota announced that he would be candidate for mayor of La Paz rather on the party label of Convergencia - a party with very little presence in the state, but which would now see an influx of the supporters of Cota. As Milenio observed, this PRD rupture was fully sanctioned and supported by Andrés Manuel López Obrador. Cota's sister, to add, is currently mayor of La Paz.
And there is even more: Marcos Covarrubias, former mayor of Comondú. who had loudly attacked his own party for treason and inconsistency and what not when it cancelled the poll, resigned from the PRD to join... the PAN! The party announced last weekend that it had successfully recruited Covarrubias as its candidate. Many other key PRD members are reported to have left the party. PRI, for its part, with the PVEM declared its candidate to be Ricardo Barroso Agramont, the leader of the party's state branch
It is hard to decide who deserves the price for blatant opportunism in Baja California Sur, a place where politics appears to have come full circle. While the current governor may succeed in imposing his former interior secretary as the next governor, Armando Díaz has had to fend off accusations of ties to the narcos, propelled by hardcore anti-PRD commentators such as Ricardo Alemán, who openly accuses Díaz of being a narco. The PRD, in turn, responded that the party is convinced Díaz has no narco ties, and asked the federal attorney general, PGR, to make public whether he is under any kind of investigation.
As for the race, due to PAN's and AMLO's maneuvers, my bets are on the PRI, though it remains wide open, and as recent events serve to demonstrate, in la política sudcaliforniana, nothing is remotely certain.
Saturday, November 6, 2010
War against women continues to the end of pedophile-protector Mario Marín's government
In the months following the infamous decision of Puebla's state congress in March 2009 to change the state constitution to in order to make abortion a stated criminal, the state attorney general/prosecutor's office in Puebla has so far launched investigations of at least 30 women. Local PRI deputy Rocío García Olmedo, who fought against the law, warned that the state could become "another Guanajuato."
The women range in age from 12 to 37, and one should also note that the Puebla government has fought against contraceptives in the name of family values, while openly persecuting women who have for different reasons carried out abortions.
The women range in age from 12 to 37, and one should also note that the Puebla government has fought against contraceptives in the name of family values, while openly persecuting women who have for different reasons carried out abortions.
To recall, this "reform" was signed into law by outgoing Governor Mario Marín, who gained national and even international noteriority when journalist Lydia Cacho exposed him as a protector of pedophiles in the infamous "Gober precioso" scandal where Cacho had exposed networks of pedophiles that involved Puebla businessmen close to Marín.
As for Marín, the governor was most recently involved in yet another scandal when it was revealed in June this year that he as mayor of Puebla had abused his position to obtain sex from a minor - who was no more than 17 when the relationship ended, and quite likely qualifies as statutory rape, in addition to the blatant abuse of his office for sexual favors.
This protector of "family values" has so far avoided prison, though notably he failed to impose a designated successor as governor in the past July elections, where the PRD and PAN in a coalition managed to wrest Puebla from the PRI after 81 years of monopoly of power, undoubtedly much due to the behavior of its infamous governor.
Money-laundering investigation of Bishop Onésimo Cépeda Silva of Ecatepec reopened
Irony of ironies. I can think of no institution that is capable of beating the Catholic Church in hypocrisy, and the discrepancy between church doctrine and its actions is for political observers a gift that just keeps on giving. The most recent case is that of the Bishop of Ecatepec, Onésimo Cépeda Silva.
Just a few days ago, the Archdiocese of Mexico condemned, though it didn't name, governors, police forces, military officers, business sectors, and even "some religious environments" for having ties to the narcos and organized crime.
It is well known that Cardenal Juan Sandoval Iñiguez of Guadalajara has been under federal investigation for money laundering for the narcos and illicit enrichment, though he was exonerated; Jorge Carpizo, former attorney general of Mexico, bitterly complained that the case was blocked for political reasons - and Carpizo even took the case directly to the Vatican, so far with no luck.
Now, a federal judge has reopened the case against Bishop Onésimo Cépeda, one of the church's most sinister and reactionary characters, and businessman Jaime Matute for a $130-million dollar (!) fraud, where Batute in collusion with Cépeda allegedly falsely acquired ownership titles of a range of highly valuable paintings, many of which in addition may be considered part of Mexico's national patrimony.
Let He Who Is Without Sin Cast The First Stone, as the verse goes. This case may not be related directly to the narcos, but the charges of engaging in organized crime are very grave.
Should Cépeda be convicted - unlikely given his connections to powers-that-be, including Mexico State Governor Enrique Peña Nieto - the church may think twice before it starts hurling stones in a glass house. Though given the story of the Mexican Church in Mexico, I don't find that too likely either.
Just a few days ago, the Archdiocese of Mexico condemned, though it didn't name, governors, police forces, military officers, business sectors, and even "some religious environments" for having ties to the narcos and organized crime.
It is well known that Cardenal Juan Sandoval Iñiguez of Guadalajara has been under federal investigation for money laundering for the narcos and illicit enrichment, though he was exonerated; Jorge Carpizo, former attorney general of Mexico, bitterly complained that the case was blocked for political reasons - and Carpizo even took the case directly to the Vatican, so far with no luck.
Now, a federal judge has reopened the case against Bishop Onésimo Cépeda, one of the church's most sinister and reactionary characters, and businessman Jaime Matute for a $130-million dollar (!) fraud, where Batute in collusion with Cépeda allegedly falsely acquired ownership titles of a range of highly valuable paintings, many of which in addition may be considered part of Mexico's national patrimony.
Let He Who Is Without Sin Cast The First Stone, as the verse goes. This case may not be related directly to the narcos, but the charges of engaging in organized crime are very grave.
Should Cépeda be convicted - unlikely given his connections to powers-that-be, including Mexico State Governor Enrique Peña Nieto - the church may think twice before it starts hurling stones in a glass house. Though given the story of the Mexican Church in Mexico, I don't find that too likely either.
Coahuila Governor Humberto Moreira's fifth informe: PRI coronation
While regarded by many as the beginning of his campaign for the PRI's national presidency, the occasion of Coahuila governor Humberto Moreira Valdés's fifth informe or report to the state congress smacked more of a coronation of Moreira as the new leader of PRI, which has been his stated goal for a while.
It bears notice that the event, attended by thousands of supporters, drew even more PRI bigshots than Enrique Peña Nieto's informe just a few weeks back: A whopping 22 or so governors and governors-elect attended. Notably, as opposed to Enrique Peña Nieto, Moreira also is justified in boasting of significant social progress in the state during his governorship, which began in 2005. While Coahuila was certainly among Mexico's wealthiest states to begin with, but the state has succeeded in attracting 7.6 billion dollars in investment in the past five years, while notably improving health access and primary school drop-out rates.
Moreira's most likely competitor for the PRI presidency was Emilio Gamboa Patrón, head of the PRI-affiliated Confederación Nacional de Organizaciones Populares (CNOP), yet Gamboa's calls for a "single and unity candidate" strongly suggests he has thrown in the towel.
I've noted the past weeks that in-page internet political ads touting the achievements of Coahuila has popped up in quite a few Web pages, such as Proceso and La Jornada, clearly suggesting that Moreira's ambitions do not stop at being head of PRI. Withouth naming names, Moreira has on numerous occasions denounced the practice of using the party presidency as a trampoline to become federal deputy, senator, and of course candidate for national president (Roberto Madrazo), and he has openly pushed for changes to party rules that would ban candidates for doing so.
This should certainly not be taken to mean that Moreira does not harbor ambitions of his own for the presidency, though it would have to wait until 2018, when he will still be in his early fifties. As a likely part of this plan, one can expect him to try to have his brother elected as Coahuila governor in 2011, though an interim governor will most likely step in for Moreira when he officially launches his all-but-decided campaign to head the PRI. Moreira has carefully groomed his brother to succeed him, though having an interim governor for a year would at least prevent Moreira from directly handing over the governorship to his brother, and somewhat blunt the obvious charges of nepotism.
This should certainly not be taken to mean that Moreira does not harbor ambitions of his own for the presidency, though it would have to wait until 2018, when he will still be in his early fifties. As a likely part of this plan, one can expect him to try to have his brother elected as Coahuila governor in 2011, though an interim governor will most likely step in for Moreira when he officially launches his all-but-decided campaign to head the PRI. Moreira has carefully groomed his brother to succeed him, though having an interim governor for a year would at least prevent Moreira from directly handing over the governorship to his brother, and somewhat blunt the obvious charges of nepotism.
PAN and PRD will most likely run together in a coalition against Moreira's brother in 2011, but as things stand today, appear to have little chance against the Moreira machine, which may well turn into the Moreira dynasty.
Friday, November 5, 2010
Josefina Vázquez Mota, presidenta 2012
Two separate developments that are most probably not unrelated:
1) Josefina Vázquez Mota, head of PAN's legislative group in the Chamber of Deputies, yesterday declared the will absolutely not run for governor of Mexico State.
2) As of yesterday, Josefina.mx is up and running, and the Web page is looking pretty slick.
I'd say that's as close as we'll get for now to an official proclamation that Josefina Vázquez Mota will indeed seek to become the first señora Presidenta in Mexico, in 2012.
1) Josefina Vázquez Mota, head of PAN's legislative group in the Chamber of Deputies, yesterday declared the will absolutely not run for governor of Mexico State.
2) As of yesterday, Josefina.mx is up and running, and the Web page is looking pretty slick.
I'd say that's as close as we'll get for now to an official proclamation that Josefina Vázquez Mota will indeed seek to become the first señora Presidenta in Mexico, in 2012.
Bizarre commemoration of Juan Camilo Mouriño, two years after his death
The death of Juan Camilo Mouriño two years ago was spectacular. Not only was Mouriño, a close friend of President Felipe Calderón, as Minister of the Interior the closest Mexico had to a Vice President, but the manner of his death was the stuff of movies: His Learjet plunged to the ground in Mexico City, killing all eight on board, as well as a handful on the ground. The only reason this spectacular event, which many still believe was not an accident, didn't get more attention was that the world's focuswas elsewhere: The same night, Barack Obama was elected president of the United States.
Two years after his Nov. 4 2008 death, PAN held a homage to Mouriño, which was attended by a range of PAN bigshots, including outgoing party president César Nava and all five contenders to succeed him, and the president's wife, as Calderón got delayed.
Notably, a bronze bust was revealed, and many a eulogy uttered.
Nava declared the party had "a debt of gratitude to preserve the memory of those who have shown us the way and have given until their breath in this fight. This is an elementary duty"
Margarita Zavala, the First Lady, hailed him as an "enthusiastic Mexican who left an economically convenient life for the benefit of his country."
Two comments:
1) Why on earth this excessive homage? Very few panistas have had the great honor of a bronze bust, located among far more prominent party members in PAN's national headquarter in Mexico City. While Mouriño was very close to the president, what exactly did he achieve in these years?
2) "Left an economically convenient life"? Let's not forget the massive scandal Mouriño was involved in that related exactly to how he had abused his political position to directly benefit his family! Many Mexicans, and not just AMLO, demanded that he resign from the post when evidence surfaced that he awarded petroleum contracts that directly benefited his family, while holding various political positions, most notoriously Undersecretary of Energy. His boss? Felipe Calderón.
Two years after his Nov. 4 2008 death, PAN held a homage to Mouriño, which was attended by a range of PAN bigshots, including outgoing party president César Nava and all five contenders to succeed him, and the president's wife, as Calderón got delayed.
Notably, a bronze bust was revealed, and many a eulogy uttered.
I just don't get it. One shouldn't speak ill of the dead, the exhortation goes (though it is not clear to my why), and while Moriño's death was a tragic event, no question, why does he deserve this honor? He even got his own model in Mexico City's was museum!
Nava declared the party had "a debt of gratitude to preserve the memory of those who have shown us the way and have given until their breath in this fight. This is an elementary duty"
Margarita Zavala, the First Lady, hailed him as an "enthusiastic Mexican who left an economically convenient life for the benefit of his country."
Two comments:
1) Why on earth this excessive homage? Very few panistas have had the great honor of a bronze bust, located among far more prominent party members in PAN's national headquarter in Mexico City. While Mouriño was very close to the president, what exactly did he achieve in these years?
2) "Left an economically convenient life"? Let's not forget the massive scandal Mouriño was involved in that related exactly to how he had abused his political position to directly benefit his family! Many Mexicans, and not just AMLO, demanded that he resign from the post when evidence surfaced that he awarded petroleum contracts that directly benefited his family, while holding various political positions, most notoriously Undersecretary of Energy. His boss? Felipe Calderón.
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Jalisco congress summons Governor Emilio González Márquez to explain budget
Governor Emilio González Márquez has some explaining to do. The Jalisco state congress voted 20-0, with 15 abstentions, to summon the governor to appear in congress to explain his projected budget for 2011.
The case is this: Last year's final budget had an extra sum of 10 billion pesos of income that had not been linked to concrete budgeted expenditures. That means in practice that the governor had a bunch of extra money available that nobody knows how or where was spent, according to PRD legislator Raúl Vargas López.
This is quite troubling. The governor has been known in the past to have tried on several occasion to shower public money on the church and dubious private interests, with little accountability or even in direct breach of the law. Moreover, Jalisco is struggling with funds shortages for everything from underfunded education to medical facilities, and it now appears the governor for the previous year drastically underestimated the state's income, which allowed him to use the surplus as he saw fit.
Emilio González Márquez, a foul-mouthed alcoholic, is a gift that keeps on giving, and I predict his government will come tumbling down far before his term is due, either due to his impeachment, or through new scandals yet to see the light of day. He will now legally have to appear before the state congress to explain this discrepancy, which quite likely is only the tip of the iceberg regarding the financial irregularities of his administration that will eventually be uncovered.
The case is this: Last year's final budget had an extra sum of 10 billion pesos of income that had not been linked to concrete budgeted expenditures. That means in practice that the governor had a bunch of extra money available that nobody knows how or where was spent, according to PRD legislator Raúl Vargas López.
This is quite troubling. The governor has been known in the past to have tried on several occasion to shower public money on the church and dubious private interests, with little accountability or even in direct breach of the law. Moreover, Jalisco is struggling with funds shortages for everything from underfunded education to medical facilities, and it now appears the governor for the previous year drastically underestimated the state's income, which allowed him to use the surplus as he saw fit.
Emilio González Márquez, a foul-mouthed alcoholic, is a gift that keeps on giving, and I predict his government will come tumbling down far before his term is due, either due to his impeachment, or through new scandals yet to see the light of day. He will now legally have to appear before the state congress to explain this discrepancy, which quite likely is only the tip of the iceberg regarding the financial irregularities of his administration that will eventually be uncovered.
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