Mexico’s hot political summer
Feeding the passion of anti-Enrique Peña Nieto protesters is the widespread perception, with mounting evidence, that Mexico’s presidential election was bought and sold.
Feeding the passion of anti-Enrique Peña Nieto protesters is the widespread perception, with mounting evidence, that Mexico’s presidential election was bought and sold.
Despite the praise heaped on the voting by U.S. President Barack Obama and others, the 2012 elections were marred by scattered outbreaks of violence, widespread accusations of vote-buying by the different political parties, especially the PRI, and the systematic disenfranchisement of large numbers of voters.
Despite opposition, Mexico’s 132 Movement forges ahead and can even claim credit for unprecedented developments in the way political messaging has been delivered this election year.
With Mexico’s elections coming up on July 1, mixed moods grip the body politic. Polls show Enrique Peña Nieta leading in the presidential race, and his supporters are declaring him the virtual winner.
Almost from nowhere, the 132 Movement not only succeeded in mobilizing thousands of young people in street protests against one Mexican presidential candidate and media monopolization, but recast Mexico’s elections by thrusting questions of money and politics, economic power and corruption and education and citizenship into the center of the political process.
With the presidential race coming up on July 1, the most significant development of the electoral year may be the emergence of a new youth movement demanding media and democratic reforms.
If anything captured the essence of the 2012 May Day celebrations, it was the convergence of issues popularized by Occupy Wall Street-influenced movements with demands for justice long pushed by immigrant community organizations.
Around 1970, Lomas de Poleo’s settlers recreated the world of the small but vanishing Mexican ranch. If a new border crossing ever materializes at Anapra-Sunland Park, the dusty landscape will likely transform.
VIDEO: Javier Perea says he welcomes state takeover of the city’s finances and pledges open and responsible government dedicated to economic development.
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