The Mexican government confirms the death of Nazario Moreno González, nicknamed "El Chayo" or "El Más Loco," a man usually considered the founder and leader of La Familia Michoacana.
I don't usually write directly about Mexico's ill-termed "drug war," yet as I am currently in Michoacán and specifically in what has often been described as one of La Familia Michoacana´s stronghold, I can only note that yes, bullets have surely been flying around here the past couple of days.
Friday, December 10, 2010
Baja California Sur: AMLO calls for Mexicans not to vote
In a press conference, AMLO made it clear he does not support the PRD´s gubernatorial candidate in the upcoming state elections Baja California Sur, Luis Armando Díaz, even though the PRD here has not gone in an alliance with the PAN. Notably, AMLO also called for the Sudcalifornianos not to vote at all.
This, again, in stark contrast to Marcelo Ebrard, who backs him.
This, again, in stark contrast to Marcelo Ebrard, who backs him.
There's something rotten in IFE
While I don´t follow Mexico's Federal electoral institute (IFE) and its Electoral tribunal (TEPJF) as closely as I should, there seems to me to be quite a bit of anecdotal evidence for two trends:
1) IFE has tended to absolve Governor of Mexico State Enrique Peña Nieto for most every complaint against him, while ordering his opponents to stop many of their ads against him
2) The Electoral tribunal has castigated IFE for many of these decisions.
The IFE operates according to guidelines that it cannot be held responsible for, of course - they were drawn up by congress. While the most recent 2007-8 electoral reform had many positive aspects to it, it is now apparent it also contained quite a few flaws, most apparently the inability - and for now I emphasize inability over unwillingness - of IFE to stop the incessant official propaganda and publicity in Mexico State in favor of its governor.
(By the way, the PRI-led state congress just approved in committee another hike, bringing the sum up, according to PRD, to 1.6 billion pesos)
However, IFE has been quite capable of interpreting its guidelines to ban ads from the PRD or other opposition parties against Peña Nieto. This has happened on a range of occasions, including just a few days ago, when IFE ordered the PRD to take out a line from a political ad that was deemed "denigrating" toward Peña Nieto´s image. The words in question? "Peña Nieto fears the political alliances" [of PAN and PRD].
Really? This line is "denigrating" the governor of Mexico State? I have a hunch that last word is not said in this case. Why? Because the TEPJF unanimously again ordered IFE to reopen another complaint from the PAN against Peña Nieto's government propaganda in relation with his fifth informe, publicity also transmitted in Guerrero and Baja California Sur (upcoming elections), which the IFE rejected. to rule on. It's just one more case of TEPJF ordering IFE to revisit an early decision - hardly dramatic in itself - but it just happens to be on Peña Nieto.
Something is happening here but you don't know what it is. Do you, Mr. Jones.
1) IFE has tended to absolve Governor of Mexico State Enrique Peña Nieto for most every complaint against him, while ordering his opponents to stop many of their ads against him
2) The Electoral tribunal has castigated IFE for many of these decisions.
The IFE operates according to guidelines that it cannot be held responsible for, of course - they were drawn up by congress. While the most recent 2007-8 electoral reform had many positive aspects to it, it is now apparent it also contained quite a few flaws, most apparently the inability - and for now I emphasize inability over unwillingness - of IFE to stop the incessant official propaganda and publicity in Mexico State in favor of its governor.
(By the way, the PRI-led state congress just approved in committee another hike, bringing the sum up, according to PRD, to 1.6 billion pesos)
However, IFE has been quite capable of interpreting its guidelines to ban ads from the PRD or other opposition parties against Peña Nieto. This has happened on a range of occasions, including just a few days ago, when IFE ordered the PRD to take out a line from a political ad that was deemed "denigrating" toward Peña Nieto´s image. The words in question? "Peña Nieto fears the political alliances" [of PAN and PRD].
Really? This line is "denigrating" the governor of Mexico State? I have a hunch that last word is not said in this case. Why? Because the TEPJF unanimously again ordered IFE to reopen another complaint from the PAN against Peña Nieto's government propaganda in relation with his fifth informe, publicity also transmitted in Guerrero and Baja California Sur (upcoming elections), which the IFE rejected. to rule on. It's just one more case of TEPJF ordering IFE to revisit an early decision - hardly dramatic in itself - but it just happens to be on Peña Nieto.
Something is happening here but you don't know what it is. Do you, Mr. Jones.
AMLO's farce in Mexico State: Yeidckol Polevnsky would decline for Encinas
While Alejandro Encinas has repeatedly denied the possibility of being the candidate of the left in Mexico State, for the very simple reason that he does not meet the residency requirement of actually having lived in the state for quite some time, he apparently is having a change of heart these days, following rumors of heavy pressure from AMLO given the postulation of Yeidckol Polevnsky as his candidate, which has led to a rebellion among AMLO´s own ranks. It is hard to see that this will succeed, and moreover, this also would depend on whether the PRD wants him as its candidate: As Jesús Ortega, head of the PRD, succinctly stated regarding the candidacies: "it is not a matter of appearances for worshipers; it is a democratic decision of party members." In other words, even if Encinas should magically find out that he still is eligible, his nomination is still not a shoe-in
Even so: Consider this. Yeidckol Polevnsky just declared she would not hesitate to decline and back his bid. So when AMLO's "she's the one" handpicked candidate declares that she would immediately decline should another, and better, candidate appear, what does that say about her candidacy?
I am hard pressed to think of a more stark admission of her sub par qualities as a candidate.
Even so: Consider this. Yeidckol Polevnsky just declared she would not hesitate to decline and back his bid. So when AMLO's "she's the one" handpicked candidate declares that she would immediately decline should another, and better, candidate appear, what does that say about her candidacy?
I am hard pressed to think of a more stark admission of her sub par qualities as a candidate.
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