 |
|
|
 Editorials | Issues | April 2007 
An Ill Wind is Blowing In from the Mexican Left
 Barnard R. Thompson - MexiData.info
| | Andrés Manuel López Obrador |
Mexican left-wingers, following the lead of Andrés Manuel López Obrador — their presidential candidate who was defeated at the polls last July, maintain that they will do anything and everything possible to remove President Felipe Calderón from office before his six year term ends on November 30, 2012. This with the aim of enthroning their pretender, or leastwise insure victory for the blustering arriviste the next time around.
And to accomplish this and further goals, progressive parties and activists are trying to rally anti-government dissidents, organized labor and others to champion their cause.
In March 2007, the Second National Democratic Convention was held in Mexico City. The first Convention took place last September 16, Mexican Independence Day, when López Obrador (AMLO) used his makeshift “For the Good of All” coalition to anoint him “Legitimate President” of Mexico (see “Dissidents Going for a ‘new Republic’ in Mexico”). Next, on November 20, Revolution Day, the travesty was furthered with a swearing in ceremony of the so-called “Legitimate President.”
Mexico’s true and lawful President, Felipe Calderón, was inaugurated in accordance with Article 83 of the Constitution on December 1.
During the recently concluded Second National Convention, the titular head of the Party of the Democratic Revolution (PRD), Leonel Cota, advised that his party and its allies of the Broad Progressive Front (FAP, that includes the PRD and two minor parties) would do “everything” in order to “lay siege to” Calderón and bring down his government. Too, convention delegates declared that forcing Calderón from office is their primary objective — this through impeachment or any other means possible.
All this time debate and demonstrations have also been raging in connection with legislative changes in the government workers’ retirement system and pension funds, in addition to the legalization of abortion in Mexico City (plus other more mundane issues).
With respect to the pensions matter, which involves the State Workers’ Social Security and Services Institute, or ISSSTE, Congress approved the legislation. Still, the fight may not be over as vocal opponents see deliverance in AMLO rather than the federal government.
The abortion debate is currently in high gear, with pro and con sides passionately doing whatever they can to influence the forthcoming vote by the Legislative Assembly of the Federal District. This issue, which has polarized Mexican society with political and social implications that range far beyond Mexico City, even beyond Mexico, is expected to pass.
Of course a call for demonstrations and protest marches came out of the Second National Convention, along with proposals for future strikes that cover a broad range of issues and fronts — all the while targeting Calderón and his government.
Additionally, some other labor unions, along with university, campesino and social organizations, are joining in preparations for a “mega-march” on May 1, Labor Day. And the same cabal is planning national work stoppages and highway blockades beginning immediately thereafter in opposition to the ISSSTE revisions, unemployment and like grievances.
The Mexican Electricians Union is calling for a National Strike Coordinating committee to be formed by April 12. This in unity with the aforementioned activities, and in preparation for expected government efforts to reform Mexico’s energy and labor laws to the anticipated detriment of workers.
Not to be outdone, Subcomandante Marcos (now “Subcomandante Insurgente Marcos”) and his Zapatista Army of National Liberation (EZLN) have announced the second stage of “the Other Campaign,” and the re-resumption of his wannabe Pied Piper visits outside Chiapas. SCI Marcos however remains aloof from less majestic groups and their activities.
On the international front, the goal of the conventioneers and their malcontented friends is to extend actions by May to include renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), with issues such as demands for fewer importations of farm products from the United States. Furthermore, if the Calderón administration fails to meet said demands, subsequent demonstrations, hunger strikes and blockades of U.S.-Mexico ports of entry, to stop importations of needed products like corn, beans, powered milk, and sugar, are said to be on the drawing board.
And while maybe not coordinated but certainly parallel, activists in the United States are once again ratcheting up for demonstrations in defense of migrant workers and their rights in this country, especially in light of the national debate on immigration reform and associated legislative proposals. Yet Mexican emigration is part and parcel of the matter, and issues, actions and events that impact families in Mexico must be recognized, understood, considered and applicably incorporated into the debate here.
As to demonstrations and other activities in the United States, it will be interesting to further review and analyze the April 7, 2007 march in Los Angeles, California, and the interconnection with all things Mexican. Billed as a follow-up to the March 25, 2006 street protests in Los Angeles in favor of immigrants, when demonstrators were estimated at 500,000 to 750,000, this year’s count of 10,000 (Los Angeles Times) to 15,000 (AP) peaceful marchers was far less impressive. Still, considering Easter and vacation schedules the timing may have been off.
Meanwhile, on March 28 the Population, Borders and Migratory Affairs Committee of the Mexican Chamber of Deputies hosted a “working meeting,” in Mexico City, with visiting representatives of the United Farm Workers of America. And while minutes of the joint consultation have not been made public, the stated purpose was for the UFW to submit proposals in order to improve working conditions for Mexican migrants in the United States.
Barnard Thompson, editor of MexiData.info has spent nearly 50 years in Mexico and Latin America, providing multinational clients with actionable intelligence; country and political risk reporting and analysis; and business, lobbying, and problem resolution services. He can be reached via e-mail at mexidata@ix.netcom.com. |
| |
|
Vallarta Weddings
Tell a Friend
Site Map
Print this Page
Email Us