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Date: Fri, 27 Jan 2006 12:54:43 -0800
From: Mexico Solidarity Network <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: Mexico Solidarity Network Email List
<[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Subject: MSN News &Analysis, January 16-22, 2006
MEXICO SOLIDARITY NETWORK
MEXICO NEWS AND ANALYSIS
JANUARY 16-22, 2006
1. OTHER CAMPAIGN VISITS YUCATAN AND QUINTANA ROO
2. FOREIGN BANKS CHARGE HIGH INTEREST RATES
3. FOX ANNOUNCES SOCIAL SECURITY PROGRAM
4. PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN OFFICIALLY BEGINS
5. MSN PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
1. OTHER CAMPAIGN VISITS YUCATAN AND QUINTANA ROO
The Other Campaign arrived in the small Yucatan community
Chablekal at dawn on Wednesday, escorted by a security
caravan organized by a local civil rights group. The
public event unfolded much like other events organized as
part of the Other Campaign, with Subcomandante Marcos, now
known as Delegado Zero, listening carefully as local
Mayans and Mestizos told of social struggles and political
problems. Thirty-nine people, from a crowd of about 200,
presented their "pain and anger," including problems
related to fishing rights, labor violations, wages and the
"wall of shame" facing immigrants at the US border. Marcos
addressed the crowd in the early afternoon with a stinging
critique of politics as usual, combined with a sense of
optimism that has quickly become the centerpiece of the
Other Campaign. Marcos described the Other Campaign as
the beginning of an anti-capitalist movement that is
challenging corrupt traditional power structures. He
called on Yucatecos to join communities in struggle
throughout Mexico, looking down and to the left for
strength and inspiration. During the short stay in
Chablekal, Marcos held small, private meetings with groups
of fishermen, ejido owners, artisans and anarchists. On
Friday, Marcos visited Chichen Itza, a small community not
on the original schedule, where artisans are struggling
for market space near ancient ruins. Later in the day, the
Other Campaign spoke with about 1,000 people in Merida?s
central square. President Fox and Governor Patricio
Patron were singled out for particularly harsh criticism,
with Marcos warning them not to turn Yucatan into a giant
hacienda. Local activists reported that the Other
Campaign prompted many profound strategic discussions
within the general population, which is surely one of the
major goals of the Other Campaign. (Thanks to George Ann
Huck, who provided eyewitness reports that are the basis
of this article. The Mexico Solidarity Network invites
eyewitness reports from the Other Campaign to be sent to
[EMAIL PROTECTED])
Earlier in the week, Marcos criticized government
mismanagement of hurricane relief aid in Quintana Roo,
most of which has been directed to luxury hotel owners
along the Mayan Coast. "The Mexican government spent
millions of pesos for propaganda to tell people that they
could come again to the Mayan Riviera, without even
considering how many people were left without homes or
belongings, and who had to migrate to other regions
because the work they had here disappeared," lamented
Marcos. PRI presidential candidate Roberto Madrazo came
under harsh criticism, with Marcos calling him "a shameful
thief and criminal." The following evening, Marcos spoke
to a crowd of over 5,000, calling for the people to "take
up the weapon of reason and convert it into a force to
transform this country, which is governed by thieves and
criminals."
2. FOREIGN BANKS CHARGE HIGH INTEREST RATES
Foreign banks operating in Mexico charge interest on
credit cards that is about five times the rates charged in
their home countries, making Mexico one of the most
lucrative credit markets in the world. Citibank credit
cards carry, on average, an interest rate of about 9% in
the US market, whereas their Mexican subsidiary, Banamex,
charges up to 85%. Bancomer's parent company in Spain
charges about 25%, whereas in Mexico they charge up to
85%. When inflation is taken into consideration, banks
pay negative interest rates on savings accounts.
3. FOX ANNOUNCES SOCIAL SECURITY PROGRAM
Two days before the official presidential campaign opened,
President Fox announced a new social security plan for
seniors over the age of 70 who live in poverty. The
program offers bi-monthly payments of about US$45 and will
eventually cover about one million seniors. Fox also
announced a savings plan for working adults between the
ages of 30 and 69 in which the government will match
contributions to retirement accounts of up to 50 pesos
(about US$4.50) per month. Fox has been particularly
critical of "populist" proposals offered by PRD
presidential candidate Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador. Fox's
new proposals appear to be a tacit recognition of Lopez
Obrador's popularity. Lopez Obrador leads most
presidential polls by substantial margins.
4. PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN OFFICIALLY BEGINS
Thursday marked the first official day of presidential
campaigning that concludes with elections on July 2. The
Federal Electoral Institute announced a budget of about
US$1 billion for campaign and election expenses, with the
bulk of the funds going to the three major party
coalitions. Felipe Calderon of the PAN will receive US$54
million, Roberto Madrazo of the PRI/Green alliance will
receive US$76 million, while Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador
of the PRD/PT/Convergencia alliance will receive US$60
million. The rest will finance local and state campaigns
plus logistical costs for the elections.
Meanwhile, Roberto Madrazo reported personal finances of
almost US$3 million, including nine houses, six bank
accounts and various works of art and jewelry, while
Felipe Calderon reported a net worth of about US$8.3
million. And the historically accurate Mitofsky poll
reported Lopez Obrador with a lead of 39% over Calderon's
31% and Madrazo's 29%, while Covarrubias and Associates
gave Lopez Obrador 39% compared with 27% for Calderon and
22% for Madrazo.
5. MSN Program Highlights (for more information contact
[EMAIL PROTECTED])
January 20 - February 20, 2006: Another Kind of Politics:
Autonomy, Community Power and Zapatismo in the US Tour on
the East Coast. The Snail's Pace Collective, formed
during the fall MSN study abroad program, will offer
workshops on grassroots resistance in the US, with lessons
from the Zapatista Movement.
February 5 - May 13, 2006: Spring Study Abroad Program.
Students and activists can earn 16 credits studying
Mexican social movements.
February 24- March 11, 2006: Historical Lessons in
Immigration Policy: Ex-Bracero/Wells Fargo Tour in
California.
March 1 - 15, 2006: International Women's Day Tour to
Demand Justice for Victims of the Femicides in the
Northeast.
March 12 - 24, 2006: Women Confronting Globalization:
Militarization, Human Rights and Fair Trade Tour in the
Southeast.
March 12-24, 2006: Women Confronting Globalization Tour:
Militarization, Human Rights and Fair Trade Tour in PA, NY
and Canada.
March 26 - April 8, 2006: Women Confronting Globalization:
Militarization, Human Rights and Fair Trade Tour in MN,
IA, NE, KS, and OK.
April 17 - May 1, 2006: Socioeconomic Context of
Immigration Today: Stories from Chicago Day Laborers in
ND, SD, MN, WI, IL, IN, MI and MO.
April 24 - May 3, 2006: Immigrant Rights: Ex-Bracero Tour
in DC, MD, VA, NC, and SC.
May 28 - July 8, 2006: Summer Study Abroad Program: Earn
8 credits studying Mexican social movements in the context
of the upcoming Mexican presidential election.
Alternative Economy Internships - Develop markets for
artisanry produced by women's cooperatives in Chiapas and
make public presentations on the struggle for justice and
dignity in Zapatista communities. Interns are currently
active in Fort Collins, OR; Spokane, WA; Alexandria, VA;
Grand Haven, MI; Chico, CA; Sacramento, CA; Stonington,
ME; Lancaster, PA; St Paul, MN; Louisville, KY; San
Francisco, CA; Turner, OR; Athens, GA; Chicago, IL;
Philadelphia, PA; Guelph, Canada; Davis, CA; Tempe, AZ;
and Madison, WI.
#############################################################
Mexico Solidarity Network http://www.mexicosolidarity.org
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