Global Philanthropists Circle 2001 Country Trip to Mexico
Mexico Trip News Digest for October 27-November 8
As background material for the 2001 field trip to Mexico, Synergos compiled a weekly digest of articles that might be of interest to GPC members.
Please note that, over time, links to some of the articles may stop working. Also, New York Times articles may be viewed for free for only one week from the date of publication (with free registration); after that a fee is required.
The News Mexico, November 7
Rural migration having negative national impact
The Mexican Government and the UN have completed a study that asserts that Rural migration, poverty, and environmental destruction are increasingly related in Mexico. Poor living conditions in rural areas prompt an estimated 600 people a day to migrate to cities, which in turn produces great environmental stress. The study also identified growing disparities between the wealthiest Mexicans and the poorest.
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Office of the President of the Republic of Mexico, October 29
Presentation of Vamos México Foundation
First Lady Marta Sahagún de Fox has launched the new Vamos México Foundation, which will work in cooperation with existing programs to fight poverty in Mexico.
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Los Angeles Times, November 6
Hahn makes bid to build LA's ties to Mexico
Los Angeles Mayor James Hahn traveled to Mexico to meet with President Fox about relations between the US and Mexico, and especially Mexico's relations with the State of California. Hahn has been a strong advocate for the rights of Mexicans living in the US.
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Newsweek via MSNBC, November 12
How the terror crackdown has crippled Mexico
The economic slowdown in the US and tightened security along the country's borders have had a tremendous negative impact on Mexico, and particularly on Mexico’s maquiladora industries. Long waits at the border have hurt retailers on both countries.
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Christian Science Monitor, November 2
Border becomes a barrier for "sister cities"
Traffic and trade across the Mexico-US border have dropped greatly because of new security measures along the border. Retails sales in the border town of Brownsville, Texas, are down 30 percent, for example. The overall economic impact is so large that the governors of the states of Texas and California are so worried they are asking the federal government for emergency aid.
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EFE via The News Mexico, November 5
Fox proposes creation of North American security policy
President Fox proposed that Mexico, Canada and the US create a North American security policy to cover aviation, airports, customs, immigration and anything related to drug trafficking and terrorism. He added that Mexico is committed to the creation of a Free Trade Area of the Americas and that this requires increased, coordinated security.
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Associated Press via San Diego Union-Tribune, October 31
Mexico creates new nationwide sugar authority in charge of mills
The Mexican government has created a new agency to manage 27 mills seized by the government earlier this year. It will also place production and export quotas on the remaining 33 mills still privately owned. The sugar industry, which involves 3.5 million people (often in poor rural areas), has been plagued by low prices and other problems.
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Chicago Sun-Times, November 4
Tension persists after Mexico carnage
As people return to villages in Chiapas after fleeing a massacre in 1997, tensions remain. The residents point out that the paramilitary groups that attacked their villages are still armed. President Fox has promised to resolve the crisis in Chiapas, but progress remains difficult.
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DPA via The New Mexico, November 5
Rights commission says 250 of Mexico's "disappeared" were killed
A study by Mexico's Human Rights Commission reportedly states that of over 500 people who "dissapeared" during political turmoit in the 1970s and 80s, at least 250 were killed by the authorities.
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Office of the President of the Republic of Mexico, October 30
Mexico is committed to promoting and protecting the rights of indigenous peoples
Xochitl Galvez Ruiz, Minister of Indigenous Affairs of Mexico, said the government is committed to promoting and protecting the rights of indigenous peoples in Mexico, who make up 12% of the country’s population. She stated the diversity is not problem, inequality is.
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The News Mexico, November 8
Ex-Chiapas attorney general jailed for corruption, may be linked to 80 murders
A former attornery general in the state of Chiapas is reported to have been implicated in the embezzlement of over $1 million dollars in government funds from 1998 to 2000. He is also under investigation for at least 80 murders. The current governoer of Chiapas had promised to end corruption in his state and punish past illegal actions but government officials, saying "Along with democracy, the end to impunity has arrived."
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The News Mexico, November 5
City promises to keep Fox informed on progress of Ochoa case
Mexico City Attorney General Bernardo Batiz has promised to keep President Fox informed about the investigation into the death of human rights activist Digna Ochoa, who was murdered in her office last month. He added that his office is working hard to reverse Mexico City's image as a center of corruption. President Fox had expressed some criticism of the how the investigation was being conducted.
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The News Mexico, October 30
Developer begins demolition work around historic park
Toronto-based Reichmann International has begun destroying abandoned buildings in central Mexico City as part of a $300 million effort to revitalize the area. The city and federal government have offered substantial tax incentives for this work, which is taking place next to North America's oldest urban park.
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Associate Press via San Diego Union-Tribune, November 7
Mexican business groups air concerns about violent crime
Leaders of several Mexican business associations have pointed out that crime, including bank robberies, auto theft and kidnappings, have a large economic cost, saying a lack of security discourages foreign investment, and consequently threatens job creation.
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The News Mexico, November 8
Renowned journalist latest death threat victim
German Dehesa, a columnist for the Mexican daily Reforma, reports that he received a death threat similar to that found with the body of slain human rights lawyer Digna Ochoa. A number of other intellectuals and activists have received threats recently. Interior Secretary Santiago Creel states that the government is pursuing the matter strenuously, saying, "We are sending out a warning to all those who are trying to threaten the rule of law by sending these cowardly threats against respected citizens. We will pursue them in the entire country and will not rest until we find those responsible."
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The News Mexico, November 2
Greenpeace: Fox administration to legalize GM crops
Greenpeace Mexico claims that Mexico's Agriculture Secretariat is rushing to legalize the use of genetically modified (GM) crops before the Congress can estalish rules that might restrict such use.
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Associated Press via Washington Post, November 4
Mexico announces more budget cuts
For the third time this year, the Mexican government is cutting its budget, this time reducing spending by $375 million. The reason for this austerity is shrinking tax revenue in the slumping economy.
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The News Mexico, November 2
Remittances up by 40 percent
Mexico's The Office for Mexicans Living Abroad reported that it expects total financial remittances to Mexico from citizens overseas this year to be 40% higher than last year, reaching $9 billion.
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Other Digest Issues
For more information, contact:
James M. Brasher III
Director, Global Philanthropists Circle
The Synergos Institute
tel +1 646-963-2103
jbrasher@synergos.org
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