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 News Around the Republic of Mexico | April 2008 
Takeover of Mexican Congress Enters Second Week, Causes Country International Embarrassment
 E. Eduardo Castillo - Associated Press
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| | Opposition lawmakers, who stormed the podium of the National Congress and covered it with a huge banner, wave Mexican flags last week. Leftist lawmakers took over both chambers of Mexico's Congress to protest President Felipe Calderon's energy reform bill. (AP/Jorge Rios) | | |
Mexico City – A weeklong blockade of Congress by leftist lawmakers not only is stalling urgent energy reforms – it's also getting downright embarrassing, Mexico's foreign minister said Thursday.
The administration of President Felipe Calderón showed signs of dwindling patience after congressional leaders were forced to withdraw an invitation for Indian President Pratibha Patil to address a session of Congress.
“Without doubt, it makes us look bad as a country,” Foreign Relations Secretary Patricia Espinosa said.
Lawmakers opposed to the oil reform chained shut the doors of the Congress building, and their supporters blocked senators from entering an alternative hall where they have been meeting since their headquarters were taken over by opponents last week.
Calderón's bill would remove constraints that have prevented state oil company Petroleos Mexicanos, or Pemex, from working with private and foreign companies with the expertise needed for deep-water drilling.
Opponents claim the bill would lead toward selling off parts of Pemex and threaten national sovereignty.
“We deeply, deeply regret that the president of India could not go to Congress, as is usual on a state visit,” Espinosa said at a ceremony for Patil held later at Calderón's official residence.
Patil tried to put the best face on things: “India and Mexico face great challenges; we are involved in developing democracy, and those are issues that unite us.” |
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