September 1st, 2011
Summary of the most important news in Mexico
For a summary of the most important news in Mexico for August 15th, 2011 go to www.mexicotodayblog.com or click here.
Archive for the ‘Mexico Politics’ Category
August 31st, 2011
Summary of the most important news in Mexico for August 17th, 2011
++ President Felipe Calderón signed
a decree to eliminate the so-called “informal” veto power that gave the
Executive branch the right to indefinitely postpone publication in the Official
Gazette of an approved legislation, in effect stalling it indefinitely. Under
the new rules, the Executive branch has 10 days to make observations, and there
is a 30-day period set to enact the bills or for the president to exercise the
right to an outright veto.
a decree to eliminate the so-called “informal” veto power that gave the
Executive branch the right to indefinitely postpone publication in the Official
Gazette of an approved legislation, in effect stalling it indefinitely. Under
the new rules, the Executive branch has 10 days to make observations, and there
is a 30-day period set to enact the bills or for the president to exercise the
right to an outright veto.
++ Interior Secretary Francisco
Blake has now called on representatives of civil society to express their
concerns about the National Security law bill.
Blake has now called on representatives of civil society to express their
concerns about the National Security law bill.
The heads of “End to Kidnapping”,
and “Common Cause”, Isabel Miranda de Wallace and María Elena Morera,
respectively, called for approval of the bill, with some changes. Deputy
Interior Secretary Rubén Fernández said a political agreement had been reached
at the Chamber of Deputies to discuss the National Security Law with senators
and social activists groups, so as to reach agreement as soon as possible.
and “Common Cause”, Isabel Miranda de Wallace and María Elena Morera,
respectively, called for approval of the bill, with some changes. Deputy
Interior Secretary Rubén Fernández said a political agreement had been reached
at the Chamber of Deputies to discuss the National Security Law with senators
and social activists groups, so as to reach agreement as soon as possible.
++ The federal government and the
nation’s 32 state governments agreed to work together to fight the high impact
crimes that are of concern to society.
nation’s 32 state governments agreed to work together to fight the high impact
crimes that are of concern to society.
++ Mexico City Attorney General Miguel
Ángel Mancera said that in his affidavit to Federal District authorities, Óscar
Osvaldo García, the head of the Hand With Eyes criminal group, confessed he had
taken part in the murders of five members of a family in the Ajusco mountain
area near Mexico City.
Ángel Mancera said that in his affidavit to Federal District authorities, Óscar
Osvaldo García, the head of the Hand With Eyes criminal group, confessed he had
taken part in the murders of five members of a family in the Ajusco mountain
area near Mexico City.
++ Authorities arrested seven police
agents with the General Escobedo, Nuevo León, police department… They are
accused of links to organized crime.
agents with the General Escobedo, Nuevo León, police department… They are
accused of links to organized crime.
August 31st, 2011
News summary for August 22, 2011
A shootout near
and around a soccer stadium in Torreón on Saturday caused panic, as players
rushed to the changing rooms and people attending the game crouched down among
the seats…Armed men in three vans refused to halt at a military checkpoint and
army troops chased after them… One municipal police officer was hurt. The game was suspended definitively…
Authorities found several fired bullets in the stadium. The Mexican Soccer
Federation condemned the violence and called for a meeting to assess security
measures in stadiums.
and around a soccer stadium in Torreón on Saturday caused panic, as players
rushed to the changing rooms and people attending the game crouched down among
the seats…Armed men in three vans refused to halt at a military checkpoint and
army troops chased after them… One municipal police officer was hurt. The game was suspended definitively…
Authorities found several fired bullets in the stadium. The Mexican Soccer
Federation condemned the violence and called for a meeting to assess security
measures in stadiums.
The Presidency
said the shootings were regrettable and offered to investigate the incident…
said the shootings were regrettable and offered to investigate the incident…
—-
Unidentified
assailants murdered José Eduviges Nava Altamriano, mayor of Zacualpan, in Mexico
State… He was kidnapped on Friday… Authorities found his body on the side of a
federal highway from Teloloapan, in the so called Tierra Caliente region of
Guerrero…
assailants murdered José Eduviges Nava Altamriano, mayor of Zacualpan, in Mexico
State… He was kidnapped on Friday… Authorities found his body on the side of a
federal highway from Teloloapan, in the so called Tierra Caliente region of
Guerrero…
—-
Legal counsel for
the Mexico Archdiocese Armando Martínez said the Metropolitan Cathedral is not
equipped to receive holy remains of John Paul II such as his blood, because the
Public Safety Secretariat withdrew guards who were protecting the cathedral…
the Mexico Archdiocese Armando Martínez said the Metropolitan Cathedral is not
equipped to receive holy remains of John Paul II such as his blood, because the
Public Safety Secretariat withdrew guards who were protecting the cathedral…
—-
Finance Secretary Ernesto
Cordero said political, economic and social conditions in Mexico are much
better than they were 10 years ago when the PAN took over the government from
the PRI…
Cordero said political, economic and social conditions in Mexico are much
better than they were 10 years ago when the PAN took over the government from
the PRI…
—-
Senate Speaker
Manlio Fabio Beltrone called on political parties and the federal
government to find agreement to move forward to face the economic turbulence on
an international and national level…
Manlio Fabio Beltrone called on political parties and the federal
government to find agreement to move forward to face the economic turbulence on
an international and national level…
—-
School summer holidays are
over… It’s back to school for the 2011-2012 year as more than 27.6 million kids
from primary through secondary school return to their classrooms…
over… It’s back to school for the 2011-2012 year as more than 27.6 million kids
from primary through secondary school return to their classrooms…
August 29th, 2011
News Summary for August 29th, 2011
The Defense Secretariat sent 800
additional troops to Monterrey as reinforcements to assist local authorities. The full deployment of an additional 1,500
soldiers is expected within the next couple of days. State and local
authorities in Monterrey denied that two of the suspects in Friday’s attack on
the Casino Royale had been arrested. Authorities said that 45 of the
fatal 52 victims of the attack on the Casino Royale had been identified and
their bodies delivered to their relatives… Funerals for the victims began over
the weekend…
additional troops to Monterrey as reinforcements to assist local authorities. The full deployment of an additional 1,500
soldiers is expected within the next couple of days. State and local
authorities in Monterrey denied that two of the suspects in Friday’s attack on
the Casino Royale had been arrested. Authorities said that 45 of the
fatal 52 victims of the attack on the Casino Royale had been identified and
their bodies delivered to their relatives… Funerals for the victims began over
the weekend…
+++++++++++++++++
The Organization for Economic
Cooperation and Development sent a condolence message from secretary general
Mexican José Ángel Gurria whose remarks joined the chorus of national and
international outrage at the attack on the casino in Monterrey. Fifty civic
groups joined together in Monterey to launch a campaign for Peace and Justice
with the “Peace Is Ours” slogan… Youth groups said they would stage a rally on
Saturday October 8th at the Angel of Independence
Cooperation and Development sent a condolence message from secretary general
Mexican José Ángel Gurria whose remarks joined the chorus of national and
international outrage at the attack on the casino in Monterrey. Fifty civic
groups joined together in Monterey to launch a campaign for Peace and Justice
with the “Peace Is Ours” slogan… Youth groups said they would stage a rally on
Saturday October 8th at the Angel of Independence
The National Human Rights Commission
sent a team to Monterrey to meet with victims of the attack at the Casino
Royale and their families and verify their conditions…
sent a team to Monterrey to meet with victims of the attack at the Casino
Royale and their families and verify their conditions…
++++++++++++++++++
Authorities conducted an operation at 11
casinos and betting halls in Nuevo León and the Federal District… Three people
were arrested and authorities impounded more than 3,500 coin machines…
casinos and betting halls in Nuevo León and the Federal District… Three people
were arrested and authorities impounded more than 3,500 coin machines…
+++++++++++++++++++
Cardinal Norberto Rivera Carrera invoked
punishment on earth and in heaven for those responsible for the attack on the
Casino Royale, which killed 52 people… Rivera Carrera called the crime
“diabolical” and said it robbed Mexico of its peace and plunged the country
into mourning…
punishment on earth and in heaven for those responsible for the attack on the
Casino Royale, which killed 52 people… Rivera Carrera called the crime
“diabolical” and said it robbed Mexico of its peace and plunged the country
into mourning…
+++++++++++++++++
Authorities suspended search tasks at
mass grave found Saturday in Mexico State… Excavation teams had unearthed five
bodies…
mass grave found Saturday in Mexico State… Excavation teams had unearthed five
bodies…
++++++++++++++++
The Finance Secretariat warned that
financial volatility would continue for some time but said that contrary to
other developing countries, Mexico continues to bear the brunt without showing
signs of an economic meltdown…
financial volatility would continue for some time but said that contrary to
other developing countries, Mexico continues to bear the brunt without showing
signs of an economic meltdown…
+++++++++++++++++
One year after Mexicana was forced to
ground its airplanes the Flight Attendants Union asked President Felipe
Calderón to step in to find a rapid solution so that they can recover their
jobs.
ground its airplanes the Flight Attendants Union asked President Felipe
Calderón to step in to find a rapid solution so that they can recover their
jobs.
August 28th, 2011
Summary of the most important news for August 25th, 2011
++ President Felipe Calderón
called on judges and lawmakers to bring about the changes needed between the
truth in daily life, and legal truth, in a society threatened by criminality.
called on judges and lawmakers to bring about the changes needed between the
truth in daily life, and legal truth, in a society threatened by criminality.
++ UNAM rector José Narro
Robles submitted to the National Governors’ Conference, a national safety
strategy devised by university experts, that seeks to help the government’s
stance to fight organized crime. Narro
urged the government to provide young people with work and educational options
so that they don’t join the ranks of criminal organizations.
Robles submitted to the National Governors’ Conference, a national safety
strategy devised by university experts, that seeks to help the government’s
stance to fight organized crime. Narro
urged the government to provide young people with work and educational options
so that they don’t join the ranks of criminal organizations.
++ Ciudad Juárez Mayor Héctor
Murguía Lardizábal said that the rate of daily assassinations in Juarez dropped
considerably, since last year the rate was 8.1 assassinations per day, and
currently, it is 3.1 murders per day. As the mayor announced this a shootout in a primary
school in Ciudad Juárez left one man dead and wounded two mothers. The victim
was trying to hide in the school just as kids were coming out at the end of
their classes…
Murguía Lardizábal said that the rate of daily assassinations in Juarez dropped
considerably, since last year the rate was 8.1 assassinations per day, and
currently, it is 3.1 murders per day. As the mayor announced this a shootout in a primary
school in Ciudad Juárez left one man dead and wounded two mothers. The victim
was trying to hide in the school just as kids were coming out at the end of
their classes…
++ The Attorney General’s
Office began an investigation into the case of Mexican pilot Rubén García
García who is accused of trafficking 42 kilos of cocaine from Mexico City into
Spain.
Office began an investigation into the case of Mexican pilot Rubén García
García who is accused of trafficking 42 kilos of cocaine from Mexico City into
Spain.
++ The Mexican Communications and
Transportation Secretariat confirmed that his license had been cancelled.
Transportation Secretariat confirmed that his license had been cancelled.
++ Authorities arrested Noemí
López Sánchez in Sonora… She is the former head of the IMSS Day Care Centers
Department and has been charged in connection to alleged negligence that led to
the fire that broke out in the ABC day care center which killed 49 children. López
Sánchez is accused of homicide, injuries and unlawful exercise of public
office.
López Sánchez in Sonora… She is the former head of the IMSS Day Care Centers
Department and has been charged in connection to alleged negligence that led to
the fire that broke out in the ABC day care center which killed 49 children. López
Sánchez is accused of homicide, injuries and unlawful exercise of public
office.
++ PT deputy Mario Di Costanzo
said the 2012 spending budget will be very limited because 93 percent will go
to operations, salaries and other benefits for the federal government.
said the 2012 spending budget will be very limited because 93 percent will go
to operations, salaries and other benefits for the federal government.
++ Commissioner for the
Mexican Federal Access to Information Institute María Marván charged that in
Mexico the lack of transparency and access to public information is
intentional.
Mexican Federal Access to Information Institute María Marván charged that in
Mexico the lack of transparency and access to public information is
intentional.
++ Santiago Creel denied that
he is the “problematic” PAN presidential contender, seeking to become
the nominee, and said there was no distancing between himself and the party
brass or with President Calderón.
he is the “problematic” PAN presidential contender, seeking to become
the nominee, and said there was no distancing between himself and the party
brass or with President Calderón.
August 26th, 2011
News Summary for August 26th, 2011
++
Armed assailants attacked the Casino Royale building in Monterrey, Nuevo León…
The attack set off a fire… More then 50 people died and dozens were wounded…
Authorities fear the number of victims could increase as people were trapped
inside the building…
Armed assailants attacked the Casino Royale building in Monterrey, Nuevo León…
The attack set off a fire… More then 50 people died and dozens were wounded…
Authorities fear the number of victims could increase as people were trapped
inside the building…
++ A group of
gunmen fired at the “Caliente” betting casino in Saltillo, Coahuila… One
person was hurt…
gunmen fired at the “Caliente” betting casino in Saltillo, Coahuila… One
person was hurt…
++ Authorities
captured one of the suspects in the shooting Wednesday at a primary school in
Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua, in which one man was killed and four women, whose
children were at the school, were wounded.
captured one of the suspects in the shooting Wednesday at a primary school in
Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua, in which one man was killed and four women, whose
children were at the school, were wounded.
++ Federal police
captured María de los Ángeles Garibay Uribe, who is also known as “Angy”, and
is an oficial with the Michoacán government… She is accused of belonging to
the Knights Templar criminal organization envolved in drug dealing and
extortions…
captured María de los Ángeles Garibay Uribe, who is also known as “Angy”, and
is an oficial with the Michoacán government… She is accused of belonging to
the Knights Templar criminal organization envolved in drug dealing and
extortions…
++ Authorities in
Culiacán, Sinaloa, found the body of journalist and director of the Internet
magazine “A Discusión”, Humberto Millán Salazar, who had been kidnapped on
Wednesday.
Culiacán, Sinaloa, found the body of journalist and director of the Internet
magazine “A Discusión”, Humberto Millán Salazar, who had been kidnapped on
Wednesday.
++ President
Felipe Calderón said that the least that can be hoped from Congress is that it
approve a national security bill that will give certainty to soldiers who fight
organized crime. At a meeting of PAN deputies in Morelia, Michoacán, Calderón
called on them to redouble efforts to bring about amendments on laws to fight
organizad crime.
Felipe Calderón said that the least that can be hoped from Congress is that it
approve a national security bill that will give certainty to soldiers who fight
organized crime. At a meeting of PAN deputies in Morelia, Michoacán, Calderón
called on them to redouble efforts to bring about amendments on laws to fight
organizad crime.
++ The Finance
Secretariat filed a criminal lawsuit seeking to find out who was to blame for
inconsistencies in debt contracting on the part of the Coahuila government. PAN
senators leader José González Morfín said there is evidence that officials with
the Coahuila government falsified documents in order to obtain more loans.
Secretariat filed a criminal lawsuit seeking to find out who was to blame for
inconsistencies in debt contracting on the part of the Coahuila government. PAN
senators leader José González Morfín said there is evidence that officials with
the Coahuila government falsified documents in order to obtain more loans.
++ The National Statistics and Geography Institute
said that unemployment in July reached 5.62 per cent… That is a total of 2.7 million Mexicans have no job… The rate
is the highest in the last nine months
said that unemployment in July reached 5.62 per cent… That is a total of 2.7 million Mexicans have no job… The rate
is the highest in the last nine months
August 24th, 2011
News Summary for August 23, 2011
++ President Felipe
Calderón condemned the lack of scruples shown by criminals who threatened the
lives of thos who were at a soccer match in Torreón, Coahuila and at a
mall in Morelia, Michoacán. Calderón said he would continue to protect Mexican
famlies.
Calderón condemned the lack of scruples shown by criminals who threatened the
lives of thos who were at a soccer match in Torreón, Coahuila and at a
mall in Morelia, Michoacán. Calderón said he would continue to protect Mexican
famlies.
++ National Security
Council Alejandro Poiré said the government will find and punish those who set
off the shootout in the Santos Modelo stadium. He said the Attorney General’s
Office has begun an investigation. Deputy Interior Secretary Juan Marcos Gutiérrez
said the attack was aimed at the head of the municipal police Adelaido Flores Díaz, and not citizens.
Council Alejandro Poiré said the government will find and punish those who set
off the shootout in the Santos Modelo stadium. He said the Attorney General’s
Office has begun an investigation. Deputy Interior Secretary Juan Marcos Gutiérrez
said the attack was aimed at the head of the municipal police Adelaido Flores Díaz, and not citizens.
++The Coahuila Attorney
General’s Office has begun an investigation into the shooting incident at the
Santos Modelo stadium… Both the federal and local attorney general’s office are
working on the case…
General’s Office has begun an investigation into the shooting incident at the
Santos Modelo stadium… Both the federal and local attorney general’s office are
working on the case…
++ After the assassination
of the mayor of Zacualpan, Mexico State, José Nava Altamirano, the state
government said the entire border area with Guerrero had been protected…
of the mayor of Zacualpan, Mexico State, José Nava Altamirano, the state
government said the entire border area with Guerrero had been protected…
++ Tabasco, Tamaulipas,
Guerrero and Aguascalientes joined the list of states where violent car
robberies, extortions and homicides as well as kidnapping are above the
national average, according to a list compiled by the Mexico Evaluates
organization. Durango, Chihuahua and Morelos still top the list.
Guerrero and Aguascalientes joined the list of states where violent car
robberies, extortions and homicides as well as kidnapping are above the
national average, according to a list compiled by the Mexico Evaluates
organization. Durango, Chihuahua and Morelos still top the list.
++ PRD national leader
Jesús Zambrano said there will be no bias to favor any candidate in particular
in surveys to choose a presidential nominee.
Jesús Zambrano said there will be no bias to favor any candidate in particular
in surveys to choose a presidential nominee.
He said the surveys and the
firms that will conduct them will be ready in October. Mexico City Mayor
Marcelo Ebrard hailed that the national council chose open consultation as the
method to choose a presidential candidate.
firms that will conduct them will be ready in October. Mexico City Mayor
Marcelo Ebrard hailed that the national council chose open consultation as the
method to choose a presidential candidate.
August 23rd, 2011
War in Juarez..Peace in El Paso..
August 21st, 2011
More peace..Less War This weeks column
Leyendo un artículo muy interesante de la revista Foreign Policy sobre el tema de la violencia en el mundo, curiosamente y contra lo que el sentido común nos puede decir, el mundo es cada vez un lugar menos violento.
Hoy en día existen conflictos armados en Medio Oriente, problemas sociales que se han manifestado violentamente en el Norte de África, piratería en Somalia, masacres en el Congo y Sudán, contrainsurgencia en Colombia, y por supuesto nuestra guerra contra el narcotráfico compartida cada vez más por algunos países de Centro y Sudamérica. En total, en el mundo se contabilizan actualmente 18 conflictos armados de manera formal.
Nuestra percepción de violencia seguramente nos dice que tenemos demasiadas muertes ya que si vemos cualquier noticiero o si leemos cualquier periódico o portal de noticias, nos encontraremos seguramente con alguna nota que hable de violencia, guerra, conflictos, muertes, atentados, y sobre todo serán notas de primera o segunda página.
Pero a veces uno tiene que viajar fuera de México para comprender el impacto que tiene una guerra en la población, la economía y el desarrollo de un país. En los noventa tuve la oportunidad de viajar a Sarajevo, Medellín, Beirut, y Lima cuando Bosnia y Herzegovina, Líbano, Colombia y Perú vivía una guerra civil. Uno no comprende la tragedia de una guerra hasta que uno ve y siente su impacto.
August 16th, 2011
Summary of the most important news in Mexico for August 16th, 2011
++The Veracruz governmentsaid that it is the responsibility of the Attorney General’s Office to
investigate the explosion of an artifact in a tourist spot that killed a man
and wounded another three people, among them two minors. Veracruz officials confirmed that criminals
inside a moving vehicle who were fleeing from military troops threw an
explosive device on the street near the Veracruz aquarium to create a
distraction and be able to make their escape.
++ Also in Veracruz, the Navy said that four of
its troops are missing… They were apparently kidnapped by organized crime.
its troops are missing… They were apparently kidnapped by organized crime.
++ Authorities arrested Ricardo Benítez Servín,
known as “The Mute”, and accused of being second in command of the Beltrán
Leyva cartel in the Costa Grande region of Guerrero, was arrested in Cancún,
Quintana Roo.
known as “The Mute”, and accused of being second in command of the Beltrán
Leyva cartel in the Costa Grande region of Guerrero, was arrested in Cancún,
Quintana Roo.
++ The Attorney General’s Office said that the
person who was found hanging from a bridge in Huixquilucan, was murdered on
orders from Óscar Osvaldo García Montoya, know as the “El Compayito”, head of
the Hand with Eyes, and who was captured last week.
person who was found hanging from a bridge in Huixquilucan, was murdered on
orders from Óscar Osvaldo García Montoya, know as the “El Compayito”, head of
the Hand with Eyes, and who was captured last week.
++ UNAM President José Narro said that the
National Security law being discussed in the Chamber of Deputies should be
debated together with university academics and professors… He said that up to
now the Presidency has given him no date for the meeting to discuss his
security proposal.
National Security law being discussed in the Chamber of Deputies should be
debated together with university academics and professors… He said that up to
now the Presidency has given him no date for the meeting to discuss his
security proposal.
++ Senators hailed security discussions being
renewed between Congress and the Peace with Justice and Dignity Movement led by
poet Javier Sicilia…. But they said they would not bow down to the movement’s
demands…
renewed between Congress and the Peace with Justice and Dignity Movement led by
poet Javier Sicilia…. But they said they would not bow down to the movement’s
demands…
++ State and municipal debt reached 316 billion
pesos, two billion more than six months ago, according to Finance Secretariat
figures. The PRI denied that state and municipal debt load is exorbitant as the
Finance Secretariat described it… Compared to federal debt, the amount is only
0.72 percent.
pesos, two billion more than six months ago, according to Finance Secretariat
figures. The PRI denied that state and municipal debt load is exorbitant as the
Finance Secretariat described it… Compared to federal debt, the amount is only
0.72 percent.
++ Mexico City Mayor Marcelo Ebrard said there
would be no split within the PRD during the electoral process to choose a
presidential candidate.
would be no split within the PRD during the electoral process to choose a
presidential candidate.
