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 Editorials | Opinions | May 2008 
A Mexican View of Martin's Trials
 Bill Bell - North Shore News
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 |  | Accusations of corruption just don't wash it. And accusations of a bumbling consulate certainly don't match my experience or the experience of other Canadians in this corner of the planet. |  | | | |
I have never made any secret about the fact that I live a lot of my life in Mexico.
I am retired and have the finances and wherewithal to travel and visit foreign countries. I am a Canadian though, and I consider Canada my home and native land.
I read Canadian newspapers online daily and seek out political opinions on blogs and other Internet sites, and I must admit that the Canadian fascination about the Brenda Martin case and the accusations of Mexican corruption has left me somewhat amused.
My family and I have traveled all 31 states in Mexico; down the Baja and west coasts, throughout the interior, Chiapas and Yucatan. We've explored the cities, tiny pueblos and ancient cities. We have also had our share of run-ins with the Mexican police. Sure just about every driver has been stopped for minor traffic violations; most of them the driver's fault. Mexico has different laws than we do in Canada and often drivers just aren't aware of those differences. Too, Canadian drivers often suffer from information and cultural overload and make frequent mistakes on the roads. It isn't any wonder why we get the inevitable flashing lights in the rearview mirror. Often travellers innocently (and some not so innocently) ask the officer to "pay the fine for them." They argue that it is better than spending three hours in a lineup trying to pay a ticket.
Corruption? Who is corrupting who? Most police in Mexico are not supplied the very basics. They are paid just above minimum wage, and must pay for their own uniforms, equipment and things our police take for granted - guns and bullets.
I live in a small town north of Puerto Vallarta and have found our local police officers honest and friendly folks. They have stopped me in my old VW and told me to put on my seatbelt. They eat in the same restaurants and they go to the same parties. They have never asked for a bribe. I wish they had more equipment or even more than one phone to receive calls about emergencies - but that is a different story.
One time about three years ago I was in big trouble. My family and I were staying in one of the most luxurious homes on the coast and we had a kidnapping threat. They said they would kill us if we did not pay - and not to get in touch with the police or else. . . . Of course we were terrified and didn't know where to go. After all, the police are corrupt right? Wrong.
We called our local Canadian consulate office in Puerto Vallarta, and asked for a recommendation. Lynne Benoit, our local consulate, calmed us immediately and took all the details. Apparently there were threats to many people in the neighboring towns north and south of Vallarta; usually to Mexicans. She told us to go to the police and there would be a file ready for us.
We went to the police expecting the worst and got the best. They took our information and assured us that they were on the case. They set up professional security with teams of undercover officers around our home. They patrolled the beach on four-wheel drives and communicated with us daily. They even brought in special investigative police from Mexico City. None of them asked for a can of pop, never mind a bribe.
Benoit at the consulate also called often and ensured we were well informed and that the Mexican authorities were taking the threat seriously. She was a wonderful comfort and truly responsive to our needs. We were amazed at the attentive service that both the Canadian consulate and Mexico's local and federal police gave us.
They eventually found who was making the calls. A group of prisoners in a Mexico City prison were placing the calls to businesses and fancy houses. Cellphones were confiscated and the story went away. However our family changed our minds about Mexican officials, Mexican laws and the Canadian Consulate.
Fast forward to Brenda Martin. According to Mexican and Canadian press reports, she worked in Mexico without the proper documents and broke the law. She was paid $500 a week to be a cook. The minimum wage in Mexico varies but averages about $8 a day. Hmmm. After she was fired she was given a $26,000 "severance" package. Hmmmm. She then invested that money with the man that fired her and made numerous bank transactions for him. The "story continues."
Accusations of corruption just don't wash it. And accusations of a bumbling consulate certainly don't match my experience or the experience of other Canadians in this corner of the planet. Many of my American friends have said they wish their consulate was as responsive as ours. We have something to be proud of.
So it is with disgruntled amusement that I see the Martin case play out. Do I think Mexican traffic cops take a bribe now and again? Yes, but it is decreasing and the Mexican government is trying hard to stop it. Do I think Martin was treated unfairly? No. I think she ignored Mexican laws and got caught.
Mexico's reputation for fairness and the reputation of the Canadian Consulate Services have been harmed by this whole sordid affair. While every experience is different, Martin's story and accusations just don't wash with me and many of the other Canadians on Mexico's Pacific coast.
bill(at)ontheroadin.com
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Your Sunday, May 11th article will set many minds and tongues going. I am in total agreement with your opinion and many are flabbergasted at the expense of the flight home.
- Joy Shakespeare, Canada
You left out the most damning evidence against Martin. In a story in last Saturday's Globe and Mail, it was reported that several cheques from her employer were passed through her bank account. If that is not money laundering, what is? It matters not that she did not know that the funds were fraudulently obtained.
- Richard Brail, North Vancouver, B.C.
Bill: I just read your editorial on BanderasNews.com. I agree, totally. Brenda was working "illegally" and taking in a lot of money... Anyway, thanks for voicing the truth.
- Laura St. John, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
I try to go to Mexico twice a year. When I took my kids, I'd stay in a resort so they could eat without asking me for money all day long. Now I travel without kids and I've stayed in a wide range of accommodations... one of my favorites was a small hotel in the old part of Mazatlan. No fire-escape, no elevator, not a whole lot of English spoken (so I had to get by with my limited Spanish,) but clean, great fun going to the market everyday and a view that would be hard to beat.
I'd have to think very hard to list the times I've been badly treated by Mexicans. They are tolerant of visitors, they are polite, and "por favor" always goes a long way when you ask a question. I've noticed their family relationships are to be envied... the kids are happy. They are polite, they smile, and, chances are, they don't have X-box or an iPod.
There was a great editorial in the Globe and Mail newspaper on April 19th, 2008. Some excerpts: "Mexico is the 8th top tourist destination in the world and some 22 million tourists visit each year. Since 2000, 249 Canadians have been murdered abroad. 15 in Mexico, 56 in the U.S." So why are there always those people who ask us to boycott Mexico? There isn't the same reaction to boycotting the U.S. where the murder rate is almost 4 times as high.
Why wouldn't Brenda Martin's boss hire a Mexican cook for less money? Wouldn't someone local have better idea of where to shop for groceries, etc? I don't know about you, but the last person in Mexico I'd trust is another "gringo." Why are they working here? (Worn out their welcome or police looking for them at home? I dunno...)
Like I've said, I've always found the Mexicans tolerant... and they must look at "we gringos," who behave badly in their country doing what we wouldn't do at home, buy those waterfront condos and look down at them.
I recently wrote to Prime Minister Harper because I am tired of Canadians who are "impatient while they wait for the government" to help them... such as:
1) The residents of the settlement on James Bay who have been evacuated 4 years in a row. (Hello. What would your ancestors have done before the federal government was around? Moved to a higher location, I hope.)
2) So many of those in Lebanon with dual (Lebanese/Canadian) citizenships who were evacuated and went back. Now there is trouble again. Are we taxpayers to foot the bill every time there is a flare-up? (Are THEY paying taxes in Canada? You tell me.)
3) I'm not convinced Brenda Martin is innocent, but I'd ask our Prime Minister why she was flown home in a challenger jet? (And, if someone is sentenced to a particular amount of time in jail, why does the Canadian system over-ride that judge's decision? Turn it around. If a foreigner killed a Canadian, his/her country brought the killer home and decided to let that person go free, it would be an insult to the Canadian judge's sentencing. Yet, that's about what Canada has done in this case.)
I'm not hardhearted, but I don't assume because Brenda Martin is a Canadian and a woman that she is innocent. Why do others? You may get some flak for this column - but I agree with you.
- Craig Ainscough, North Vancouver |
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