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.
Saturday, January 7, 2012
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.
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.
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
Gubernatorial elections in 2012
It's not only about electing Mexico's next president for six years on July 1, 2012: In addition, there are gubernatorial elections in the following states:
* Jalisco (PAN)
* Guanajuato (PAN)
* Morelos (PAN)
* Chiapas (PRD coalition)
* Tabasco (PRI)
* Yucatán (PRI)
And, of course, mayor of Mexico City - as close to a governor as one can get, until the Federal District gets its own constitution.
Here's a great rundown of the various hopefuls for the offices from the respective parties.
* Jalisco (PAN)
* Guanajuato (PAN)
* Morelos (PAN)
* Chiapas (PRD coalition)
* Tabasco (PRI)
* Yucatán (PRI)
And, of course, mayor of Mexico City - as close to a governor as one can get, until the Federal District gets its own constitution.
Here's a great rundown of the various hopefuls for the offices from the respective parties.
Come on baby, do the Morena
AMLO's campaign tune, so to speak: "Morena." It's heard everywhere on the campaign trail, and it's a quite catchy cumbia-esque ditty, with a semi-professional video production - and it gets, I'd venture to say, its points across. And yes, there is a beautiful morena in the video, with quite a low-cut dress (here's some background on the song from El Universal).
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
Michoacán mayors take office - state goes from yellow to red
Hundred-and-eleven out of 113 municipalities changed hands in Michoacán this weekend. In essence, a big shift from yellow to red - from PRD to PRI. In the capital Morelia, an interim mayor took office given the recent cancellation of that race; in Cherán, the local population refused to hold elections.
Here is the graphic in pdf form on what party controls what municipality.
I happened to be at a ceremony for a PAN mayor where also Josefina Vázquez Mota was present. Her body guards carried the biggest assault rifles I have ever seen in use outside of a Hollywood blockbuster.
Here is the graphic in pdf form on what party controls what municipality.
I happened to be at a ceremony for a PAN mayor where also Josefina Vázquez Mota was present. Her body guards carried the biggest assault rifles I have ever seen in use outside of a Hollywood blockbuster.
Pope Benny 16 to Mexico in March
The catholic church confirms it: Pope Benedict 16 will visit Mexico over three days this year, March 23-25. He will not come to Mexico City - due to its location (thin air, pollution), but rather Guanajuato. Or perhaps, out of desire to avoid meeting with mayor Marcelo Ebrard, whom major figures in the church a while ago threatened to excommunicate from the catholic church due to the legalization of gay unions and abortion in the city.
He will also meet with President Calderón - expect the governing PAN to subtly or not so subtly use the visit for all its worth ahead of the 2012 election.
Then, he's off to Cuba. That could get far more interesting from a political point of view: Will he follow the lead of Pope John Paul II to condemn the blockade, and also call for democracy?
He will also meet with President Calderón - expect the governing PAN to subtly or not so subtly use the visit for all its worth ahead of the 2012 election.
Then, he's off to Cuba. That could get far more interesting from a political point of view: Will he follow the lead of Pope John Paul II to condemn the blockade, and also call for democracy?
Monday, January 2, 2012
Guerrero: Gas station employee dies after students burned down station
There were many tragic stories from Guerrero recently, and what deservedly got the most attention was the gunning down of two students.
There is another side to this story, though, which only makes it more intrinsically tragic: It seems by now beyond doubt that the protesting students deliberately torched a PEMEX gas station. The employee got badly burnt trying to put out the flames to avoid a full explosion.
Yet due to his burns, he died just days ago in a Guerrero hospital.
The shooting deaths of the students was roundly and justifiably condemned. Yet we have heard very little on the death of this innocent worker. Just as one asks for the heads of the Guerrero police who shot the students, will any of the thugs responsible for this murder ever be held accountable?
There is another side to this story, though, which only makes it more intrinsically tragic: It seems by now beyond doubt that the protesting students deliberately torched a PEMEX gas station. The employee got badly burnt trying to put out the flames to avoid a full explosion.
Yet due to his burns, he died just days ago in a Guerrero hospital.
The shooting deaths of the students was roundly and justifiably condemned. Yet we have heard very little on the death of this innocent worker. Just as one asks for the heads of the Guerrero police who shot the students, will any of the thugs responsible for this murder ever be held accountable?
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