Some interesting data on mining: Mexico surpassed Peru to now become the biggest silver producer in the world, with 1.88 million kilogram of silver churned out Jan-June 2011, much from the Fresnillo mine in Zacatecas, the world's largest. Other large operations are found in Chihuahua, Durango, and Sonora.
This January I happened to make a road trip that included Zacatecas and a visit to the now-defunct silver mine that sits literally right in the capital. It is funny how Mexico has now reclaimed its position as the top producer in the world.
Monday, September 5, 2011
Sunday, September 4, 2011
One major difference Mexican and U.S. political campaigning: God
Here's one major difference in campaigning between U.S. politicians and Mexican, and entirely in Mexico's favor. From Milenio's interview with Silvano Aureoles Conejo, the left's candidate to be governor of Michoacán:
"Do you believe in god?
"Very little - I am not much of a believer."
That's it - no follow-up questions, no scandal, nothing. What a fresh breath compared to the constant groveling to the religious camps in the United States - how often does it happen that a major candidate to a major state simply states that s/he is not religious? And more so, that the candidate is not attacked for this?
"Do you believe in god?
"Very little - I am not much of a believer."
That's it - no follow-up questions, no scandal, nothing. What a fresh breath compared to the constant groveling to the religious camps in the United States - how often does it happen that a major candidate to a major state simply states that s/he is not religious? And more so, that the candidate is not attacked for this?
Friday, September 2, 2011
Colima: Rape victims allowed to have abortion
While good news, it leaves a very bitter taste that it took until 2011 for the state of Colima to allow abortions in the case of rape, following a vote in the state legislature where PAN deputies cowardly abstained.
Credit to PT's Olaf Presa Mendoza, who pushed the reform bill through.
Credit to PT's Olaf Presa Mendoza, who pushed the reform bill through.
Emilio Chuayffet new head of Chamber of Deputies
Emilio Chuayffet Chemor has been governor of Mexico State and interior secretary under Ernesto Zedillo. He is from yesterday as well President of the mesa ejecutiva or the Congress directorate.
While this important position corresponded to the PRD - the PRI reneged on an earlier agreement (see background here and here) - the three main parties PRI, PAN, and PRD will instead take turns the last year of this session, while PRD will head the coordinating junta.
A year ago, when a deal had been made that the PRD would preside both the junta and the directorate for the entire session, I wrote:
While this important position corresponded to the PRD - the PRI reneged on an earlier agreement (see background here and here) - the three main parties PRI, PAN, and PRD will instead take turns the last year of this session, while PRD will head the coordinating junta.
A year ago, when a deal had been made that the PRD would preside both the junta and the directorate for the entire session, I wrote:
The coordinators of the parties in congress agreed to a deal where PRD will get to preside the two organs, though a special vote of 2/3 majority will be held where the stipulations of the Organic Law regulating Congress will simply be "set aside" for that year. PRD will simply have to take their word for it, that this will actually come to passAnd guess what happened? PRI reneged on this promise.
International heat on Humberto Moreira
Read this excellent article from the Associated Press - the Coahuila debt scandal and more is finally receiving the international attention it well deserves.
Michoacán gubernatorial election: It's on, officially.
This will be a most unique election: As Milenio notes, and I concur, there has probably never been a gubernatorial election that is divided so completely in three - for PAN, PRI, and PRD.
In Michoacán, everything seems at this point as a possibility.
The candidates started yesterday the official campaign, with three strong candidates: President Felipe Calderón's sister Luisa María Calderón Hinojosa; PRD Senator Silvano Aureoles Conejo, and four-time mayor of Morelia, Fausto Vallejo Figueroa.
From yesterday on, the state government (PRD) is not allowed to publicize any public works or propaganda, nor are state officials allowed to participate in any campaigns. One can only hope that the federal government, over which the state electoral institute has no jurisdiction, will do the same: I am not too optimistic, given all the "visits" of key cabinet officials as well as the president himself to Michoacán the past weeks.
Election Day is Nov. 13.
In Michoacán, everything seems at this point as a possibility.
The candidates started yesterday the official campaign, with three strong candidates: President Felipe Calderón's sister Luisa María Calderón Hinojosa; PRD Senator Silvano Aureoles Conejo, and four-time mayor of Morelia, Fausto Vallejo Figueroa.
From yesterday on, the state government (PRD) is not allowed to publicize any public works or propaganda, nor are state officials allowed to participate in any campaigns. One can only hope that the federal government, over which the state electoral institute has no jurisdiction, will do the same: I am not too optimistic, given all the "visits" of key cabinet officials as well as the president himself to Michoacán the past weeks.
Election Day is Nov. 13.
Manlio out: New head of Mexican senate is José González Morfín
It's in its last year - it was elected in 2006 - and Manlio Fabio Beltrones stepped down to be relieved by José González Morfín as probably the last head of this Mexican Senate.
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