++ Intelligence chief at the Federal Police Crime Prevention department Luis Cárdenas Palomino acknowledged that organized crime has not only offered its followers better employment opportunities, but also a sense of identity and of getting even with society.
++ The mayor of San Pedro Garza García, in Nuevo León, Mauricio Fernández, testified at the Attorney General’s Office to explain how he found out that alleged drug trafficker Héctor Saldaña Perales, known as "El Negro Saldaña," had been killed on October 31 in the Federal District.
++ Former Attorney General Eduardo Medina Mora admitted that the Mexican government’s aim is not to put an end to drug trafficking, since that is an impossible task for any government.
++ Residents in Cuijingo, in Juchitepec, in the State of Mexico, seized and held hostage four alleged kidnappers wearing state police uniforms… They took off their clothes and threatened to lynch them.
++ Leader of the Mexican Electricians Union Martín Esparza Flores said the union is willing to speak to the government to find solutions to the shutting down of power utility Luz y Fuerza del Centro… He pledged that planned protests by union members will be pacific and won’t break the law…
++ Interior Secretary Fernando Gómez Mont called on the Mexican Electricians Union to keep their protest actions within the law.
++ President Felipe Calderón asked the Chamber of Deputies to approve his proposal to increase funding for the Opportunities Program, a social welfare program.
++ The Political Affairs board at the Chamber of Deputies approved a seven-percent cut to its 2010 budget, which means reducing by 400 million pesos.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Monday, November 09, 2009
Who is to blame? This weeks column...
Lamentablemente, 2009 será un año récord de asesinatos en México. Hasta la fecha se han documentado más de 6 mil ejecuciones, y todavía no termina el año. Hay que recordar que en 2008 se reportaron más de 5 mil ejecuciones, que fue casi el doble de las registradas en 2007 (EL UNIVERSAL, 3 de diciembre 2008).
Al mismo tiempo que se incrementa el número de muertos relacionados con esta “guerra” en contra del crimen organizado, también está aumentando el cuestionamiento acerca de si las Fuerzas Armadas deben de continuar ejerciendo el liderazgo en la estrategia para controlar estas organizaciones. Para desfortuna del Ejército y de la Marina, el número de muertos se está convirtiendo en la vara con que se evalúa la efectividad y la capacidad de estas instituciones. ¿Cuánto ha impactado en la reputación del Ejército el hecho de que, a pesar de su despliegue en Juárez, dos de cada tres homicidios en este país suceden en esa ciudad fronteriza?
Al Ejército mexicano no se le debería responsabilizar por lo que podría ser el fracaso de la estrategia antidrogas del país, ya que el éxito de esta estrategia depende no sólo de los uniformados, sino de la capacidad o de la complicidad de las corporaciones civiles en el ámbito federal y estatal, además de la coordinación eficaz entre todas las instituciones que tienen la responsabilidad de la seguridad pública y la seguridad nacional de este país.
En este último punto, el de la falta de una coordinación adecuada entre Sedena, Seguridad Pública, PGR y Gobernación, sigue siendo probablemente incomprensible por qué permite esto el Presidente. Hay que reconocerlo, el poder de los presidentes mexicanos se ha ido acotando a través de los años, pero no implica que no tengan ni la facultad ni la capacidad de controlar a sus secretarios. To continue click here..
Al mismo tiempo que se incrementa el número de muertos relacionados con esta “guerra” en contra del crimen organizado, también está aumentando el cuestionamiento acerca de si las Fuerzas Armadas deben de continuar ejerciendo el liderazgo en la estrategia para controlar estas organizaciones. Para desfortuna del Ejército y de la Marina, el número de muertos se está convirtiendo en la vara con que se evalúa la efectividad y la capacidad de estas instituciones. ¿Cuánto ha impactado en la reputación del Ejército el hecho de que, a pesar de su despliegue en Juárez, dos de cada tres homicidios en este país suceden en esa ciudad fronteriza?
Al Ejército mexicano no se le debería responsabilizar por lo que podría ser el fracaso de la estrategia antidrogas del país, ya que el éxito de esta estrategia depende no sólo de los uniformados, sino de la capacidad o de la complicidad de las corporaciones civiles en el ámbito federal y estatal, además de la coordinación eficaz entre todas las instituciones que tienen la responsabilidad de la seguridad pública y la seguridad nacional de este país.
En este último punto, el de la falta de una coordinación adecuada entre Sedena, Seguridad Pública, PGR y Gobernación, sigue siendo probablemente incomprensible por qué permite esto el Presidente. Hay que reconocerlo, el poder de los presidentes mexicanos se ha ido acotando a través de los años, pero no implica que no tengan ni la facultad ni la capacidad de controlar a sus secretarios. To continue click here..
News Summary for November 10th, 2009
Hurricane Ida caused only minimal damage when the category two storm swept past Quintana Roo’s northern coasts… The alert level was lowered from red to orange. The hurricane was now threatening the U.S. state of Louisiana.
++++++++++++
Authorities are now concerned about health contingencies connected to low temperatures across Mexico but no cold-weather related deaths were reported in the last week.
+++++++++
This week the government will begin its re-hiring program for former workers at power utility Luz y Fuerza del Centro… Up to now, 51 percent of workers who were laid off have accepted severance payments… The deadline is November 14th. Expect mayor protest this week.
++++++++++++
The PRI Chamber of Deputies caucus is preparing significant cuts in the 2010 spending budget, especially in programs it deems inefficient in battling poverty. PRI senators’ leader Manlio Fabio Beltrones called for true in-depth state reform…
+++++++++++++++
Authorities are looking for more cases of minors being sold after discovering a child-selling ring at a private hospital in eastern Mexico City… Investigations have reached the State of Mexico…In another incident, authorities arrested six people accused of being involved in the sale of a two-year-old boy, who was rescued in Hidalgo.
++++++++++++++++
A man known as “La Chivis,” and identified as Ramiro Fernández de Luna, was arrested in Nuevo León… He is accused of taking part in the murder of the newly appointed García security chief, retired general Juan Arturo Esparza, and four of his guards…
++++++++++++++++
In another arrest, this one in Colima, authorities nabbed Aaron López García, one of the 15 most-wanted criminals in the United States, accused of arms possession… He allegedly is a member of one of the deadliest and most violent gangs within the so-called “Mexican mafia” in the U.S. state of California…
++++++++++++
Authorities are now concerned about health contingencies connected to low temperatures across Mexico but no cold-weather related deaths were reported in the last week.
+++++++++
This week the government will begin its re-hiring program for former workers at power utility Luz y Fuerza del Centro… Up to now, 51 percent of workers who were laid off have accepted severance payments… The deadline is November 14th. Expect mayor protest this week.
++++++++++++
The PRI Chamber of Deputies caucus is preparing significant cuts in the 2010 spending budget, especially in programs it deems inefficient in battling poverty. PRI senators’ leader Manlio Fabio Beltrones called for true in-depth state reform…
+++++++++++++++
Authorities are looking for more cases of minors being sold after discovering a child-selling ring at a private hospital in eastern Mexico City… Investigations have reached the State of Mexico…In another incident, authorities arrested six people accused of being involved in the sale of a two-year-old boy, who was rescued in Hidalgo.
++++++++++++++++
A man known as “La Chivis,” and identified as Ramiro Fernández de Luna, was arrested in Nuevo León… He is accused of taking part in the murder of the newly appointed García security chief, retired general Juan Arturo Esparza, and four of his guards…
++++++++++++++++
In another arrest, this one in Colima, authorities nabbed Aaron López García, one of the 15 most-wanted criminals in the United States, accused of arms possession… He allegedly is a member of one of the deadliest and most violent gangs within the so-called “Mexican mafia” in the U.S. state of California…
Thursday, November 05, 2009
News Summary of the most important news in Mexico for November 5th, 2009
++ Gunmen shot and killed retired general Arturo Esparza, new head of security in García, Nuevo León, just five days after he took office.
++ The Interior Secretariat’s final report on the accident involving a Learjet 45 last year ago that killed then interior secretary Juan Camilo Mouriño, blamed air turbulence and errors on the part of pilots for the accident… However, the airplane’s logs show the crew had experience…
++ The Labor Secretariat reported that 45 percent of 44,000 active workers fired from the power utility company Luz y Fuerza del Centro have cashed in their severance payments.
++ The PAN caucus at the Chamber of Deputies presented a draft bill for a new kidnapping law that would obligate collaboration between the three levels of government in kidnapping cases.
++ The Supreme Court, saying the Attorney General’s Office fabricated evidence and witness testimonies, ordered the liberation of yet another nine native Indians sentenced in the Acteal, Chiapas massacre in December 1997.
++ Two rivers in Veracruz, the Aguadulcita and Uxpanapa rivers, flooded over, forcing 5,000 people from their homes… The army set the DN3 emergency plan going and Pemex evacuated the General Hospital located in Agua Dulce.
++ Three men were killed in Tabasco swept away by currents of water after steady rains in Huimanguillo, where the heavy rains stranded 20,000 people.
++ The Interior Secretariat declared Ecatepec, in the State of Mexico, a disaster Zone after last Friday’s powerful rainstorm that killed five people and damaged 500 homes.
++ The Mexico City Attorney General’s Office discovered a hospital in Venustiano Carranza borough where newborns were being sold… Six people were arrested, among them three physicians.
++ The Interior Secretariat’s final report on the accident involving a Learjet 45 last year ago that killed then interior secretary Juan Camilo Mouriño, blamed air turbulence and errors on the part of pilots for the accident… However, the airplane’s logs show the crew had experience…
++ The Labor Secretariat reported that 45 percent of 44,000 active workers fired from the power utility company Luz y Fuerza del Centro have cashed in their severance payments.
++ The PAN caucus at the Chamber of Deputies presented a draft bill for a new kidnapping law that would obligate collaboration between the three levels of government in kidnapping cases.
++ The Supreme Court, saying the Attorney General’s Office fabricated evidence and witness testimonies, ordered the liberation of yet another nine native Indians sentenced in the Acteal, Chiapas massacre in December 1997.
++ Two rivers in Veracruz, the Aguadulcita and Uxpanapa rivers, flooded over, forcing 5,000 people from their homes… The army set the DN3 emergency plan going and Pemex evacuated the General Hospital located in Agua Dulce.
++ Three men were killed in Tabasco swept away by currents of water after steady rains in Huimanguillo, where the heavy rains stranded 20,000 people.
++ The Interior Secretariat declared Ecatepec, in the State of Mexico, a disaster Zone after last Friday’s powerful rainstorm that killed five people and damaged 500 homes.
++ The Mexico City Attorney General’s Office discovered a hospital in Venustiano Carranza borough where newborns were being sold… Six people were arrested, among them three physicians.
Tuesday, November 03, 2009
News Summary for November 4th, 2009
++ PAN national leader César Nava said his party will not evade its responsibility to approve new taxes and pledged to work towards an in-depth fiscal reform. PRD head Jesús Ortega, demanded of the PRI and the PAN that they face citizens and recognize that they approved increases to taxes.
++ Communications and Transportation authorities confirmed that air turbulence that struck the plane in which former Interior Secretary Juan Camilo Mouriño and former drug czar José Luis Santiago Vasconcelos was what caused the Lear jet they were traveling in to crash a year ago. Both men were killed in the accident as were several other passengers and the crew. The Communications and Transportation Secretariat also said that the investigation found that the pilots were poorly trained and that air controllers had a heavy work load.
++ The U.S. government in coordination with Mexican authorities is developing an all encompassing border strategy to fight organized crime in the next 11 months.
++ Nine mayors in the Nuevo León metropolitan zone launched a joint effort to keep organized crime from infiltrating government offices.
++ Heavy rains in Tabasco caused two rivers to flood over forcing 44,000 people from their homes… The Interior Secretariat declared an emergency in the area. Gustavo A. Madero borough chief Víctor Hugo Lobo said that 7,000 children at schools in Cuautepec flooded by Friday’s deluge in Mexico City and the State of Mexico resumed classes.
++ Communications and Transportation authorities confirmed that air turbulence that struck the plane in which former Interior Secretary Juan Camilo Mouriño and former drug czar José Luis Santiago Vasconcelos was what caused the Lear jet they were traveling in to crash a year ago. Both men were killed in the accident as were several other passengers and the crew. The Communications and Transportation Secretariat also said that the investigation found that the pilots were poorly trained and that air controllers had a heavy work load.
++ The U.S. government in coordination with Mexican authorities is developing an all encompassing border strategy to fight organized crime in the next 11 months.
++ Nine mayors in the Nuevo León metropolitan zone launched a joint effort to keep organized crime from infiltrating government offices.
++ Heavy rains in Tabasco caused two rivers to flood over forcing 44,000 people from their homes… The Interior Secretariat declared an emergency in the area. Gustavo A. Madero borough chief Víctor Hugo Lobo said that 7,000 children at schools in Cuautepec flooded by Friday’s deluge in Mexico City and the State of Mexico resumed classes.
Last Calaverita for this Season...
The last calaverita for this season... Sent by Angel Romero...
Her last summary Ana wroteit appears online todaywe're being told with a footnotethat she rests in peace awayA thin lady came alonglooking for our dear Slackdid you know that we no morewill have her advices back?Now the show couldn't go onnor the news were on the airWhat a shame! It seems unfairshe has left us just her bones!How Ana Maria could have knownif Calaca wore a maskand I bet she couldn't askwhat more else was near to comeIn the graveyard when it's coldit is said Anita criesif she only would have been toldthat La Flaca...living in Mexico was...
Thanks Angel!!!
Her last summary Ana wroteit appears online todaywe're being told with a footnotethat she rests in peace awayA thin lady came alonglooking for our dear Slackdid you know that we no morewill have her advices back?Now the show couldn't go onnor the news were on the airWhat a shame! It seems unfairshe has left us just her bones!How Ana Maria could have knownif Calaca wore a maskand I bet she couldn't askwhat more else was near to comeIn the graveyard when it's coldit is said Anita criesif she only would have been toldthat La Flaca...living in Mexico was...
Thanks Angel!!!
Monday, November 02, 2009
News Summary for November 3rd, 2009
++ PRD and PRI senators said the Senate will abide by the changes made by deputies to the Income Law over the weekend since there is a November 15 deadline for the approval of the budget bill. However, they said they were not satisfied with what they described as the approval of “not the best” revenue package.
++ Meanwhile The Private Sector Center For Economic Studies, the CEESP, suggested reducing by 200 the number of deputies and also removing 64 senators… Such changes would spark savings in the order of 127 million pesos on average each year, the center said.
++ Head of the Mexican Electricians Union (SME) Martín Esparza Flores said the union would file two constitutional controversies with the Supreme Court to try to push back the presidential decree that liquidated Power Utility Co. Luz y Fuerza del Centro. The SME also announced that on November 11th, one month after the closing down of Luz y Fuerza del Centro, they will be taking over the companies installations.
++ The Attorney General’s Office took on an investigation into the murder of Héctor Saldaña Perales, alias “El Negro,” and who allegedly headed the Beltrán Leyva brothers’ drug cartel in Monterrey, Nuevo León. The Attorney General’s Office will also be probing the killings of 15 people in Cajeme, Sonora, among them Margarito Montes Parra, head of the General Workers, Peasants and Popular Union.
++ The town of Ecatepec, in the State of Mexico called for the entire area of Guadalupe hill to be declared a disaster zone after more than 520 homes were damaged and thousands of people left homeless after Friday’s heavy rainstorm. And Tultitlán and Coacalco, also in the State of Mexico and which were also affected by the storm, criticized the government for not sending federal aid despite the high numbers of people stranded by the storm.
++ Mexico City Mayor Marcelo Ebrard said 15 million pesos will go for aid to overcome the emergency in Gustavo A. Madero borough, where the rainstorm damaged 900 homes… Ebrard said another 45 million pesos will be allotted to repair roadways, schools and hospitals…
++ Meanwhile The Private Sector Center For Economic Studies, the CEESP, suggested reducing by 200 the number of deputies and also removing 64 senators… Such changes would spark savings in the order of 127 million pesos on average each year, the center said.
++ Head of the Mexican Electricians Union (SME) Martín Esparza Flores said the union would file two constitutional controversies with the Supreme Court to try to push back the presidential decree that liquidated Power Utility Co. Luz y Fuerza del Centro. The SME also announced that on November 11th, one month after the closing down of Luz y Fuerza del Centro, they will be taking over the companies installations.
++ The Attorney General’s Office took on an investigation into the murder of Héctor Saldaña Perales, alias “El Negro,” and who allegedly headed the Beltrán Leyva brothers’ drug cartel in Monterrey, Nuevo León. The Attorney General’s Office will also be probing the killings of 15 people in Cajeme, Sonora, among them Margarito Montes Parra, head of the General Workers, Peasants and Popular Union.
++ The town of Ecatepec, in the State of Mexico called for the entire area of Guadalupe hill to be declared a disaster zone after more than 520 homes were damaged and thousands of people left homeless after Friday’s heavy rainstorm. And Tultitlán and Coacalco, also in the State of Mexico and which were also affected by the storm, criticized the government for not sending federal aid despite the high numbers of people stranded by the storm.
++ Mexico City Mayor Marcelo Ebrard said 15 million pesos will go for aid to overcome the emergency in Gustavo A. Madero borough, where the rainstorm damaged 900 homes… Ebrard said another 45 million pesos will be allotted to repair roadways, schools and hospitals…
Calaverita for Ana Maria Salazar ...
For the "Dia del Muerto" or day of the dearly departed, poems called CALAVERITAS are very popular,.... This one was written up by one of my Facebook buddies...
ANA MA. POR LA CALLE VA CUANDO DE REPENTE LA HUESUDA SE LA QUIERE LLEVAR,
PERO ANA MA. APLICANDO DEFENSA PERSONAL A LA MUERTE LOGRA INMOVILIZAR.
ME RINDO GRITA LA CALACA, Y LLORANDO SE VA ALEJANDO Y CAVILANDO DICE NO HAY DE OTRA DEFENSA PERSNAL AHI QUE TOMAR.
Por Maria Isabe Nuñez Peralta El 03 de noviembre a las 5:47
Sunday, November 01, 2009
News Summary for November 2d, 2009
The Chamber of Deputies approved the 2010 revenue packet that aims to raise three trillion pesos…
* Deputies ratified an increase in the value added tax to 16 percent, an increase to the income tax to 30 percent on income greater than 10,300 pesos monthly and an increase from two to three percent on the IDE tax, or tax on cash deposits of over 15,000 pesos a month, not the current 20,000 pesos…
* Deputies stopped short of taxing communications companies, cellular phones and cigarettes, so the reforms will be once again be sent to the Senate…
* Lawmakers will renew sessions on Wednesday and the next item on the agenda is the spending budget for 2010…
----
The Labor Board was unable to declare an end of labor relations between workers at power utility Luz y Fuerza del Centro, since a federal judge accepted a protection writ or amparo filed by the Mexican Electricians Union… The board recognized the Mexican Electricians Union as a legal entity still able to negotiate on behalf of its members… SME announced that starting on Thursday the union will launch massive protests in 14 states…
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Heavy rainstorms in Mexico City and environs on Friday left a deadly toll… Six people were killed in Ecatepec and three in Tultitlán; 14 people were injured and three more were reported as disappeared… Four thousand homes were damaged as well as 120 vehicles…
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In other news, four bodies, victims of a massacre, were found in Mexico City’s Miguel Hidalgo borough… The bodies were inside a car with Nuevo León license plates… One of the victims appeared to be Héctor Saldaña, alias "El Negro," who allegedly heads the Beltrán Leyva drug cartel’s operations in Nuevo León.
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Armed commandos attacked two federal police precincts and a state police command centre on the coast of Guerrero… No one was wounded in the attacks that caused only damage to facilities and vehicles…
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The Attorney General’s Office will take on the case of the massacre in Cajeme, Sonora, last Friday in which 15 people were shot and killed, among them Margarito Montes Parra, leader of the General Workers, Peasants and Popular Union.
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Banks and the Mexican Stock Exchange will be closed because of the Day of the Dead… The U.S. Embassy and consulates also close for the holiday…
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* Deputies ratified an increase in the value added tax to 16 percent, an increase to the income tax to 30 percent on income greater than 10,300 pesos monthly and an increase from two to three percent on the IDE tax, or tax on cash deposits of over 15,000 pesos a month, not the current 20,000 pesos…
* Deputies stopped short of taxing communications companies, cellular phones and cigarettes, so the reforms will be once again be sent to the Senate…
* Lawmakers will renew sessions on Wednesday and the next item on the agenda is the spending budget for 2010…
----
The Labor Board was unable to declare an end of labor relations between workers at power utility Luz y Fuerza del Centro, since a federal judge accepted a protection writ or amparo filed by the Mexican Electricians Union… The board recognized the Mexican Electricians Union as a legal entity still able to negotiate on behalf of its members… SME announced that starting on Thursday the union will launch massive protests in 14 states…
----
Heavy rainstorms in Mexico City and environs on Friday left a deadly toll… Six people were killed in Ecatepec and three in Tultitlán; 14 people were injured and three more were reported as disappeared… Four thousand homes were damaged as well as 120 vehicles…
----
In other news, four bodies, victims of a massacre, were found in Mexico City’s Miguel Hidalgo borough… The bodies were inside a car with Nuevo León license plates… One of the victims appeared to be Héctor Saldaña, alias "El Negro," who allegedly heads the Beltrán Leyva drug cartel’s operations in Nuevo León.
----
Armed commandos attacked two federal police precincts and a state police command centre on the coast of Guerrero… No one was wounded in the attacks that caused only damage to facilities and vehicles…
----
The Attorney General’s Office will take on the case of the massacre in Cajeme, Sonora, last Friday in which 15 people were shot and killed, among them Margarito Montes Parra, leader of the General Workers, Peasants and Popular Union.
----
Banks and the Mexican Stock Exchange will be closed because of the Day of the Dead… The U.S. Embassy and consulates also close for the holiday…
----
Saturday, October 31, 2009
News Summary for October 31st, 2009
++ President Felipe Calderón said he understood criticisms of his fiscal plan, but said that at this critical time it is necessary to take harsh measures that benefit the majority of Mexicans.
++ A federal judge accepted the legal protection writ or amparo filed by the Mexican Electricians Union against the presidential decree that liquidated power utility Luz y Fuerza del Centro and ordered the Federal Labor Board to abstain from ruling on the issue.
The Labor Secretariat said that the amparo does not affect the process of ending labor relations between the company and workers.
++ Citing lack of sufficient evidence the Federal Electoral Institute decreed that the Party of the Democratic Revolution did not violate any electoral code in connection to the 2003 video-scandals… IFE was unable to prove that the PRD used the money businessman Carlos Ahumada gave to PRD politicians in the 2003 campaigns…
++ The Agriculture Secretariat said that deputy Agriculture Secretary in charge of fostering agribusiness Jeffrey Max Jones had resigned from his post… His resignation followed remarks expressing the opinion that that farmers should follow the example of drug traffickers since they produce what the market is demanding and use the latest technology… Jeffrey Max Jones’s remarks unleashed a scandal…
++ A federal judge accepted the legal protection writ or amparo filed by the Mexican Electricians Union against the presidential decree that liquidated power utility Luz y Fuerza del Centro and ordered the Federal Labor Board to abstain from ruling on the issue.
The Labor Secretariat said that the amparo does not affect the process of ending labor relations between the company and workers.
++ Citing lack of sufficient evidence the Federal Electoral Institute decreed that the Party of the Democratic Revolution did not violate any electoral code in connection to the 2003 video-scandals… IFE was unable to prove that the PRD used the money businessman Carlos Ahumada gave to PRD politicians in the 2003 campaigns…
++ The Agriculture Secretariat said that deputy Agriculture Secretary in charge of fostering agribusiness Jeffrey Max Jones had resigned from his post… His resignation followed remarks expressing the opinion that that farmers should follow the example of drug traffickers since they produce what the market is demanding and use the latest technology… Jeffrey Max Jones’s remarks unleashed a scandal…
Thursday, October 29, 2009
News Summary for October 29th, 2009
++ PRI senators were still discussing increases to the value-added tax or IVA, the income tax and the tax on cash deposits in bank accounts… Fernando Castro Trenti confirmed that negotiations are blocked on the IVA issue. PRI senators were also discussing increasing IVA to 16 percent but only for one year.
++ The PRD stood by its position opposed to raising the IVA tax, even for just one year.
++ The Mexican Stock Market lost ground for the sixth consecutive day… The IPC shed 2.19 percent, sparked by uncertainty surrounding discussions on the 2010 fiscal package.
++ Former PAN leader Manuel Espino said the fiscal package approved by the Chamber of Deputies will pull Mexicans into further misery.
++ Mexican Electricians Union leader Martín Esparza Flores filed a legal writ seeking legal protection against the decree to liquidate power utility Luz y Fuerza del Centro.
++ Labor Secretary Javier Lozano said he would return to the Chamber of Deputies to appear before deputies, but he requested respect and civility.
++ The Supreme Court postponed reaching a decision on legal protection measures that would free 27 people accused in the 1997 Acteal, Chiapas massacre.
++ The Chiapas Attorney General’s Office requested the delay, saying there is evidence to back up the participation in the massacre of former public servants.
++ The Mexico City Health Secretariat raised the health alert from green to yellow, in view of an increase in respiratory diseases, among them confirmed cases of AH1N1 influenza… The measure does not mean social separation, nor closing down establishments, only strengthening cleanliness and hygiene.
++ The PRD stood by its position opposed to raising the IVA tax, even for just one year.
++ The Mexican Stock Market lost ground for the sixth consecutive day… The IPC shed 2.19 percent, sparked by uncertainty surrounding discussions on the 2010 fiscal package.
++ Former PAN leader Manuel Espino said the fiscal package approved by the Chamber of Deputies will pull Mexicans into further misery.
++ Mexican Electricians Union leader Martín Esparza Flores filed a legal writ seeking legal protection against the decree to liquidate power utility Luz y Fuerza del Centro.
++ Labor Secretary Javier Lozano said he would return to the Chamber of Deputies to appear before deputies, but he requested respect and civility.
++ The Supreme Court postponed reaching a decision on legal protection measures that would free 27 people accused in the 1997 Acteal, Chiapas massacre.
++ The Chiapas Attorney General’s Office requested the delay, saying there is evidence to back up the participation in the massacre of former public servants.
++ The Mexico City Health Secretariat raised the health alert from green to yellow, in view of an increase in respiratory diseases, among them confirmed cases of AH1N1 influenza… The measure does not mean social separation, nor closing down establishments, only strengthening cleanliness and hygiene.
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
News Summary for October 28th, 2009
++ The Senate Finance and Legislative Committees approved, in general terms, the new Law on Special Tax on Production and Services, although they put off debating the three percent tax on telecommunications.
The law includes increases to taxes levied on alcoholic beverages, beer, tobacco and games and lotteries. The committees also approved a new fiscal system for Petróleos Mexicanos.
++ PRI Senate caucus leader Manlio Fabio Beltrones said the percentage point increase to value added or sales tax, the IVA, could be corrected by the Senate or could be an issue that could be discussed to launch true in-depth fiscal reform.
++ Lack of accords in the Senate on the 2010 fiscal package sent the Mexican Stock Exchange plunging … It fell 3.19 percent, its 10th largest drop this year.
++ The PRD accused the Finance Secretariat of unfairly holding on to federal apportionments for states, to use them as a way to pressure governors to gain their support for the fiscal package.
++ Coparmex accused political parties to be an obstacle for the country’s advancement… Coparmex urged politicians to move forward in political reform to allow for reelection of deputies, senators and mayors.
++ Mexican Electricians Union treasurer Alejandro Muñoz, a political rival of union leader Martín Esparza Flores, went to the Interior Secretariat to request conversations be resumed.
++ IFE was unable to prove that the money Carlos Ahumada gave to René Bejarano was used by the PRD in the 2003 federal campaigns… IFE will therefore annul the PRI’s complaint that the PRD violated electoral law in 2003.
++ Speaking in Guatemala, President Calderón said organized criminals are the main perpetrators of abuses and human rights violations involving Central American victims.
The law includes increases to taxes levied on alcoholic beverages, beer, tobacco and games and lotteries. The committees also approved a new fiscal system for Petróleos Mexicanos.
++ PRI Senate caucus leader Manlio Fabio Beltrones said the percentage point increase to value added or sales tax, the IVA, could be corrected by the Senate or could be an issue that could be discussed to launch true in-depth fiscal reform.
++ Lack of accords in the Senate on the 2010 fiscal package sent the Mexican Stock Exchange plunging … It fell 3.19 percent, its 10th largest drop this year.
++ The PRD accused the Finance Secretariat of unfairly holding on to federal apportionments for states, to use them as a way to pressure governors to gain their support for the fiscal package.
++ Coparmex accused political parties to be an obstacle for the country’s advancement… Coparmex urged politicians to move forward in political reform to allow for reelection of deputies, senators and mayors.
++ Mexican Electricians Union treasurer Alejandro Muñoz, a political rival of union leader Martín Esparza Flores, went to the Interior Secretariat to request conversations be resumed.
++ IFE was unable to prove that the money Carlos Ahumada gave to René Bejarano was used by the PRD in the 2003 federal campaigns… IFE will therefore annul the PRI’s complaint that the PRD violated electoral law in 2003.
++ Speaking in Guatemala, President Calderón said organized criminals are the main perpetrators of abuses and human rights violations involving Central American victims.
Thursday, October 22, 2009
News Summary for October 22d, 2009
++ The full Chamber of Deputies approved the fiscal package 2010, which was immediately submitted to the Senate. The federal government is expecting to raise more than three billion pesos in revenue. Lawmakers approved income tax at 30 percent, a three percent tax on cash deposits starting at 15,000 pesos a month and value added tax or sales tax, IVA, at 16 percent in general and 11 percent on the border.
They also approved a three percent tax on communications networks, including Internet and cable television… public telephone systems and rural landlines are not included in the tax… Another point that got the go-ahead was a 1.5 percent increase to beer tax.
++ Senate speaker Carlos Navarrete, a member of the PRD, said his party would do everything in its hands to annul some of the points approved in the Revenue Bill passed by the Chamber of Deputies.
++ PAN leader César Nava said the fiscal package with new taxes was “incomplete and insufficient.”
++ Concanaco spoke out against the new taxes saying they will affect economic growth and job creation.
++ Unemployment in September reached 6.41 percent, or 2,930,000 – nearly three million – people, the highest rate since October, 1995.
++ The Mexican Electricians Union refused to hand over assets belonging to the former state-owned utility Luz y Fuerza del Centro… The union said the Management and Appropriations Service lacks legal jurisdiction to take over those assets.
++ Three hundred and two evacuated and electricity service was cut in 20,000 homes in Sinaloa after tropical storm Rick swept the the state.
++ Drug Enforcement Agents in Texas dismantled a methamphetamine-selling gang linked to the "La Familia Michoacana" drug cartel.
They also approved a three percent tax on communications networks, including Internet and cable television… public telephone systems and rural landlines are not included in the tax… Another point that got the go-ahead was a 1.5 percent increase to beer tax.
++ Senate speaker Carlos Navarrete, a member of the PRD, said his party would do everything in its hands to annul some of the points approved in the Revenue Bill passed by the Chamber of Deputies.
++ PAN leader César Nava said the fiscal package with new taxes was “incomplete and insufficient.”
++ Concanaco spoke out against the new taxes saying they will affect economic growth and job creation.
++ Unemployment in September reached 6.41 percent, or 2,930,000 – nearly three million – people, the highest rate since October, 1995.
++ The Mexican Electricians Union refused to hand over assets belonging to the former state-owned utility Luz y Fuerza del Centro… The union said the Management and Appropriations Service lacks legal jurisdiction to take over those assets.
++ Three hundred and two evacuated and electricity service was cut in 20,000 homes in Sinaloa after tropical storm Rick swept the the state.
++ Drug Enforcement Agents in Texas dismantled a methamphetamine-selling gang linked to the "La Familia Michoacana" drug cartel.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
News Summary for October 21st, 2009
++ The Chamber of Deputies Finance Committee approved the initial draft for a new revenue bill.
1. The new draft bill sets sales tax at 16 percent (currently we pay 15%) throughout the country and 11 percent on the border (currently they pay 10%)
2. Meanwhile income tax rose to 30 percent and a tax on cash deposits was augmented to three percent for amounts higher than 15,000 pesos per month.
3. A new three percent tax was set on telecommunications services including fixed telephone service, Internet and cable television.
4. Beer tax rose to 26.5 percent from the current 25 percent and cigarette tax rose to 40 cents per pack. (Comment: Yeah, I know, many of you are thinking.. Pay more for beer! Pay more for your cigarettes.. Why live??!!!!! )
++ The PAN Senate caucus explained that the tax increases are because of low tax revenue in Mexico… PAN lawmakers say business and social groups which oppose the new taxes do so because of their own interests. (Comment: Wow! Now the PAN has to defend a proposal that does not reflect the President´s bill…)
++ Concamin said the new taxes in 2010 will put a break on investment and strengthen the informal economy. (Comment: Concamin is right… Why even try to pay taxes… Especially now… More businesses are going to find ways to skirt Hacienda… Anyone bartering these days)
++ Speaking in Cancun, President Felipe Calderón said the Mexican economy is on the rise… He said that from June to the first two weeks of October, 200,000 new jobs were created, and from August to October the economy grew by nearly three percent. (Comment: Where are those jobs? Oh! I forgot, they are probably jobs in the informal economy, where they don´t pay taxes!!)
++ As for the Electrician Union-SME… Leader of the Mexican Electricians Union Martín Esparza Flores said he would return to the negotiating table with the government if the Energy, Labor and Finance secretaries take part in negotiations. But Alejandro Muñoz, Esparza Flores’ rival, said he would continue in talks with the government under the current conditions. (Comment: Divide and conquer…I believe Sun Tzu said that…)
Sunday, October 18, 2009
News Summary for October 19th, 2009
One week after the government ordered the shutting down of power utility Luz y Fuerza del Centro Economy Secretary Gerardo Ruiz Mateos and Labor Secretary Javier Lozano announced employment alternatives for workers who accept their severance payments by November 14.
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Authorities announced that 2,527 workers have gone for their severance payments… More than 13,000 retired workers received their pensions out of a total of 22,356.
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Lawyers for the Mexican Electricians Union or SME said they would file individual legal protection writs or amparos, as well as collective ones, challenging the presidential decree ordering the liquidation of Luz y Fuerza. They plan to also file lawsuits for unfair dismissals.
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The Finance Committee at the Chamber of Deputies has failed to reach any agreements on the 2010 Fiscal Package...Sticking points are the two-percent tax on consumption and other taxes…
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PRD senators’ leader Carlos Navarrete said his party’s proposal is the most viable and responsible since it’s not banking on Mexico’s financial collapse…
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The Finance Secretariat said that if the two-percent consumption tax were approved, it would mean revenue equaling 2.7 percent of 2010 Gross Domestic Product, that would go to fight poverty…
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Elections in Tabasco to elect 17 new mayors, 21 local deputies and 14 deputies by proportional representation, were carried out in relative calm…Some incidents were reported in Comalcalco, Teapa, Tacotalapa and Huimanguilllo... Voter surveys were indicating the PRI won the capital and recovered other municipalities previously held by the PRD such as Cárdenas, Comalcalco, Tenosique and Macuspana…
* The PRI also appeared to have done well in elections in Coahuila to choose mayors in 38 municipalities… No major incidents were reported aside from the discovery of three bodies found in front of a voting booth in Torreón… Governor Humberto Moreira denied the incident was in any way connected to the elections.
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As of this weekend the Catholic Church will implement new health measures aimed at trying to curb the spread of influenza… Among them there will no longer be shaking hands or kissing during the peace greeting, and Communion host will be given in the hands of the faithful rather than in their mouths.
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The weather service said Hurricane "Rick" was beginning to weaken although it retained a Category 5 status… Hurricane Rick continued to be an extremely dangerous storm and could shift towards the Northwest to make landfall in Baja California Sur in coming days…
Friday, October 16, 2009
News Summary for October 16th, 2009
++ Thousands of workers belonging to the Mexican Electricians Union (SEM) headed by Martín Esparza Flores, staged a march from the Angel of Independence monument to the Zócalo square to protest over the closing down of power utility Luz y Fuerza del Centro.
Popular Assembly of the Peoples of Oaxaca, the APPO, and UNAM workers union members also took part as did PRD and PT militants and former presidential candidate Andrés Manuel López Obrador.
++ Esparza Flores said the only intermediary SME is willing to recognize is Mexico City mayor Marcelo Ebrard who said he would talk to the government on behalf of the union.
++ Interior Secretary Fernando Gómez Mont said the federal government is willing to talk to members of the Mexican Electricians Union.
++ Two hundred workers from now defunct power utility Luz y Fuerza del Centro filed legal writs challenging the decision by President Calderón to close down Luz y Fuerza del Centro Utility Co.
++ The Chamber of Deputies created a mixed task force to study the viability of presenting a constitutional controversy challenging the presidential decree that ordered the liquidation of power utility Luz y Fuerza del Centro.
++ The Supreme Court will send its report on the Oaxaca decision, which found governor Ulises Ruiz guilty of serious violations to human rights during the APPO protests in 2006 and 2007, to all the country’s governors and state congresses since it includes recommendations and guidelines on the way public forces should be used so as to avoid abuses and excessive violence.
++ The federal government authorized the first genetically modified maize crops in Mexico.
++ The Communications and Transportation Secretariat said businessman Carlos Slim’s real estate firm Grupo IDEAL has acquired the North Pacific highways package, with a construction investment estimated at four billion pesos.
++ Gunmen attacked the mayor of Tiquicheo, Michoacán, María Santos Gorrostieta, gravely wounding her and killing her husband.
Thursday, October 15, 2009
News Summary for October 15th, 2009
++ The Nation’s Supreme Court ruled that Oaxaca governor Ulises Ruiz is guilty of serious violations of human rights during the 2006 and 2007 conflict involving members of the Popular Assembly of the Peoples of Oaxaca, or APPO.
++ President Felipe Calderón denied that the move to liquidate the Compañía de Luz y Fuerza utility company was aimed at undermining unions in Mexico… Calderon’s words came during his opening speech for the 51st Radio and Television Week.
++ Labor Secretary Javier Lozano set off a program to pay severance to workers at Luz y Fuerza willing to voluntarily step forward voluntarily… He said he had instructions from the president that within 60 days most workers laid-off from Luz y Fuerza would once again be working.
++ One thousand seven hundred members of the Mexican Electricians Union, or SME, the union at Luz y Fuerza, in the town of Juan Galindo, Puebla, followed union instructions and did not cash their severance payments.
++ Meanwhile top leaders at the SME are gathering signatures from retirees and former Luz y Fuerza employees to seek to present a temporary restraining order, or amparo, to block liquidation of the power utility.
++ The management committee at the Chamber of Deputies intends to lower spending at by 2010, among those costs, are 35 million pesos spent annually for food during committee meetings.
++ Rafael Acosta, Juanito, once again insisted he will return to his job as Iztapalapa´s borough chief… He said he did not quit, only requested a 59-day leave of absence…
++ Health Secretary José Ángel Córdova Villalobos said the A H1N1 influenza epidemic has cost Mexico 4.3 billion pesos… He said there are 40,800 confirmed infections and the epidemic has claimed 257 lives in Mexico.
++ President Felipe Calderón denied that the move to liquidate the Compañía de Luz y Fuerza utility company was aimed at undermining unions in Mexico… Calderon’s words came during his opening speech for the 51st Radio and Television Week.
++ Labor Secretary Javier Lozano set off a program to pay severance to workers at Luz y Fuerza willing to voluntarily step forward voluntarily… He said he had instructions from the president that within 60 days most workers laid-off from Luz y Fuerza would once again be working.
++ One thousand seven hundred members of the Mexican Electricians Union, or SME, the union at Luz y Fuerza, in the town of Juan Galindo, Puebla, followed union instructions and did not cash their severance payments.
++ Meanwhile top leaders at the SME are gathering signatures from retirees and former Luz y Fuerza employees to seek to present a temporary restraining order, or amparo, to block liquidation of the power utility.
++ The management committee at the Chamber of Deputies intends to lower spending at by 2010, among those costs, are 35 million pesos spent annually for food during committee meetings.
++ Rafael Acosta, Juanito, once again insisted he will return to his job as Iztapalapa´s borough chief… He said he did not quit, only requested a 59-day leave of absence…
++ Health Secretary José Ángel Córdova Villalobos said the A H1N1 influenza epidemic has cost Mexico 4.3 billion pesos… He said there are 40,800 confirmed infections and the epidemic has claimed 257 lives in Mexico.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
News Summary for October 14th, 2009
++ Speaking in Puebla, President Felipe Calderón said he preferred to hand over funds to the 25 million poorest Mexicans than to keep on maintaining the privileges of 44,000 employees of an inefficient government company. He was referring to the power utility Luz y Fuerza del Centro that was dramatically shut down over the weekend.
++ Prior to that, Calderón met with PRI leader Beatriz Paredes Rangel, at Los Pinos. Calderón told Paredes that closing down Luz y Fuerza del Centro will benefit Mexico’s economy.
++ The Energy Secretariat confirmed that a new company could be created to take over from Luz y Fuerza and that it would be funded entirely by state capital.
++ The Chamber of Deputies postponed analyzing a measure proposed by the Labor Party to request that a constitutional controversy complaint be filed with the Supreme Court challenging the presidential decree that liquidated Luz y Fuerza del Centro.
++ The Mexican Electricians Union called on its members not to cash earnings this 14-day payday, to protest over the closing down of Luz y Fuerza del Centro.
++ Mexico City mayor Marcelo Ebrard said that closing down Luz y Fuerza del Centro was a hard blow for thousands of workers.
++ PRI Senate caucus leader Manlio Fabio Beltrones said shutting down power utility Luz y Fuerza del Centro was legal but he warned that his caucus will not allow the federal government to privatize the company.
++ Meanwhile the PAN said that closing down Luz y Fuerza was not a measure aimed at attacking unionized workers but rather because it was so inoperative… PAN leader ruled out similar measures against the PEMEX or Teachers union, the SNTE.
++ There were electricity cuts to 4,000 homes in four building units in Atizapán, State of Mexico… The Interior Secretariat confirmed that alleged SME members were to blame for shutting off power to that area.
++ Prior to that, Calderón met with PRI leader Beatriz Paredes Rangel, at Los Pinos. Calderón told Paredes that closing down Luz y Fuerza del Centro will benefit Mexico’s economy.
++ The Energy Secretariat confirmed that a new company could be created to take over from Luz y Fuerza and that it would be funded entirely by state capital.
++ The Chamber of Deputies postponed analyzing a measure proposed by the Labor Party to request that a constitutional controversy complaint be filed with the Supreme Court challenging the presidential decree that liquidated Luz y Fuerza del Centro.
++ The Mexican Electricians Union called on its members not to cash earnings this 14-day payday, to protest over the closing down of Luz y Fuerza del Centro.
++ Mexico City mayor Marcelo Ebrard said that closing down Luz y Fuerza del Centro was a hard blow for thousands of workers.
++ PRI Senate caucus leader Manlio Fabio Beltrones said shutting down power utility Luz y Fuerza del Centro was legal but he warned that his caucus will not allow the federal government to privatize the company.
++ Meanwhile the PAN said that closing down Luz y Fuerza was not a measure aimed at attacking unionized workers but rather because it was so inoperative… PAN leader ruled out similar measures against the PEMEX or Teachers union, the SNTE.
++ There were electricity cuts to 4,000 homes in four building units in Atizapán, State of Mexico… The Interior Secretariat confirmed that alleged SME members were to blame for shutting off power to that area.
Monday, October 12, 2009
News Summary for October 13th, 2009
++ Interior Secretary Fernando Gómez Mont said that closing down the Luz y Fuerza del Centro power utility decreed by the government was a perfectly legal measure. The Federal Electricity Commission guaranteed complete electric energy supply both in the Valley of Mexico and in five states where the Luz y Fuerza del Centro company provided electricity service.
++ Former head of the Mexican Electricians Union, the SME, Martín Esparza Flores, went to the Chamber of Deputies to seek support from political parties so as to file a constitutional controversy suit to annul the presidential decree liquidating Luz y Fuerza del Centro. Esparza Flores said the decree is unconstitutional and violates human rights… He denied that the union would sabotage electrical supply.
++ And, PAN senator Santiago Creel stood by President Calderón’s move to liquidate Luz y Fuerza saying he backed the decree to close down the power utility and that there should be further similar actions to close down other corrupt and inefficient unions.
++ But the PRD called for the government to backtrack on the decision to close down Luz y Fuerza… The PRD said it wanted thousands of jobs to be saved.
++ The National Union of Workers said this is the “final call” for the workers movement in Mexico to join together overcoming their differences because if they fail to unite, the government can order the shutting down of any other union.
++ And in Chiapas, Michoacán and Querétaro union and peasant organizations staged marches to protest over what they described as an onslaught on the part of the government against power utility Luz y Fuerza del Centro… They did not rule out calling a national strike to protest over the government’s decree closing down Luz y Fuerza del Centro.
++ The PRD Chamber of Deputies caucus presented its economic proposal for the 2010 fiscal year… Under the proposal the two-percent consumption tax put forth by the government is eliminated.
++ The Mexican Stock Exchange rose 1.45 percent, setting a new high level this year.
++ Former head of the Mexican Electricians Union, the SME, Martín Esparza Flores, went to the Chamber of Deputies to seek support from political parties so as to file a constitutional controversy suit to annul the presidential decree liquidating Luz y Fuerza del Centro. Esparza Flores said the decree is unconstitutional and violates human rights… He denied that the union would sabotage electrical supply.
++ And, PAN senator Santiago Creel stood by President Calderón’s move to liquidate Luz y Fuerza saying he backed the decree to close down the power utility and that there should be further similar actions to close down other corrupt and inefficient unions.
++ But the PRD called for the government to backtrack on the decision to close down Luz y Fuerza… The PRD said it wanted thousands of jobs to be saved.
++ The National Union of Workers said this is the “final call” for the workers movement in Mexico to join together overcoming their differences because if they fail to unite, the government can order the shutting down of any other union.
++ And in Chiapas, Michoacán and Querétaro union and peasant organizations staged marches to protest over what they described as an onslaught on the part of the government against power utility Luz y Fuerza del Centro… They did not rule out calling a national strike to protest over the government’s decree closing down Luz y Fuerza del Centro.
++ The PRD Chamber of Deputies caucus presented its economic proposal for the 2010 fiscal year… Under the proposal the two-percent consumption tax put forth by the government is eliminated.
++ The Mexican Stock Exchange rose 1.45 percent, setting a new high level this year.
Sunday, October 11, 2009
News Summary for October 12th, 2009
In a swift move and an almost flawless operation, the government moved in Saturday night and announced it was liquidating electricity firm Luz y Fuerza del Centro… The government sent in dozens of federal preventive police agents to the company’s central offices to force out workers there… The government decree said 45,000 workers will be given legal severance payments…
+++++++++++++
In an address to the nation broadcast on radio and television President Felipe Calderón said that Luz y Fuerza was very costly and inefficient… He said there will be no power shortages in Mexico City and nearby states…
+++++++++++++
Led by Martín Esparza Flores, whose victory had last week not been recognized by labor authorities, the Mexican Electricians Union, the SME, announced it would do everything within its power to have the decree annulled… The union announced it would file a constitutional controversy complaint and organize protests this week.
++++++++++++++++
Business leaders backed the government’s move to liquidate Luz y Fuerza del Centro saying it got rid of one of the most bureaucratic, costly and inefficient operations by a government entity.
+++++++++++++
Former presidential candidate Andrés Manuel López Obrador gave his support to SME the electricians union, saying the move to liquidate the electricity firm was the last blow to the nation union´s heritage.
+++++++++++
In other news a fire broke out in a chemical substances warehouse in Iztapalapa, in eastern Mexico City… Thick, billowing smoke from the fire could be seen from far away…
++++++++++++++
High temperatures in recent days have set off alarm bells at the Health Secretariat that announced increased disease control measures… Officials said there were no new deaths in the past week from heat-related causes, so the figure remained at 26 deaths…
Dengue fever continued to be a serious problem across Mexico… News reports said Cardinal Juan Sandoval Íñiguez was hospitalized in Guadalajara suffering from dengue fever…
++++++++++++++++
Comment: Big issues raised by the President´s decision to liquidate LyFC: What will the the reaction of the more then 60,000 electricians? What will AMLO do? Can the government really guarantee electric services for Mexico City? Finally, if you live in Mexico City be aware that mayor marches are expected on Monday... Watch out with the traffic...
+++++++++++++
In an address to the nation broadcast on radio and television President Felipe Calderón said that Luz y Fuerza was very costly and inefficient… He said there will be no power shortages in Mexico City and nearby states…
+++++++++++++
Led by Martín Esparza Flores, whose victory had last week not been recognized by labor authorities, the Mexican Electricians Union, the SME, announced it would do everything within its power to have the decree annulled… The union announced it would file a constitutional controversy complaint and organize protests this week.
++++++++++++++++
Business leaders backed the government’s move to liquidate Luz y Fuerza del Centro saying it got rid of one of the most bureaucratic, costly and inefficient operations by a government entity.
+++++++++++++
Former presidential candidate Andrés Manuel López Obrador gave his support to SME the electricians union, saying the move to liquidate the electricity firm was the last blow to the nation union´s heritage.
+++++++++++
In other news a fire broke out in a chemical substances warehouse in Iztapalapa, in eastern Mexico City… Thick, billowing smoke from the fire could be seen from far away…
++++++++++++++
High temperatures in recent days have set off alarm bells at the Health Secretariat that announced increased disease control measures… Officials said there were no new deaths in the past week from heat-related causes, so the figure remained at 26 deaths…
Dengue fever continued to be a serious problem across Mexico… News reports said Cardinal Juan Sandoval Íñiguez was hospitalized in Guadalajara suffering from dengue fever…
++++++++++++++++
Comment: Big issues raised by the President´s decision to liquidate LyFC: What will the the reaction of the more then 60,000 electricians? What will AMLO do? Can the government really guarantee electric services for Mexico City? Finally, if you live in Mexico City be aware that mayor marches are expected on Monday... Watch out with the traffic...
Breaking News.. Federal Government announces the dissapearance of Electric Company
At approximatly 10:30 pm Saturday evening more then 1000 federal police took over diferent instalations of the Compañia de Luz y Fuerza del Centro which provided electricity for the central region of Mexico. At midnight the government issued a presidential decree announcing the disspearance of this company and its functions will be taken over by the CFE, the Federal Electric Company... In this decree which can be read clicking here, the goverment explains tha the main reason were economic. What will happen the next hours, days... Hard to tell. How will the union react? Will the government be able to assure electricity for some of the main cities in Mexico? Join me Sunday morning at 10:00 am on Living in Mexico radio news program www.imagen.com.mx for the latest..
Friday, October 09, 2009
News Summary for October 10th, 2009
++ Former Mexican Electricians Union leader Martín Esparza warned authorities that if they fail to acknowledge him as leader of the SME union, this will aggravate the problem with the workers... He said that if the Federal Labor Board annuls the union election, he will seek legal protection against it…Meanwhile, Alejandro Muñoz, who also ran for union chief, called for new elections to renew the national executive committee and resolve the problem.
++ Business leaders said the 2010 economic package includes measures that are economically regressive and inflationary and that it could lead to the loss of thousands of jobs.
++ The Finance Secretariat and the Revenue Administration Service pledged to increase the taxpayer base by eight million through better auditing.
++ The PRD said the PAN’s proposal to cut political party funding by 50 percent, was “politically opportunistic and demagogic.” On the same topic the PRI, said the PAN suggestion would only create minimal savings.
++ The Mexican Stock Market rose by 0.47 percent, reaching its highest level since June 16th, last year.
++ Supreme Court justices who are investigating the fire at the ABC day care center that killed 49 infants and toddlers asked the Sonora governor to provide documents from a warehouse located behind the day care center.
++ Rafael Acosta, Juanito, said that one he has completed his leave of absence he will return to the post of Iztatapalapa borough chief and offer Clara Brugada the chance to stay on as head of governance and judicial affairs.
++ Thirty-two murders rocked the country on Friday…Seven of the killings occurred in the State of Mexico, six in Morelos and 12 in Guerrero state.
++ Business leaders said the 2010 economic package includes measures that are economically regressive and inflationary and that it could lead to the loss of thousands of jobs.
++ The Finance Secretariat and the Revenue Administration Service pledged to increase the taxpayer base by eight million through better auditing.
++ The PRD said the PAN’s proposal to cut political party funding by 50 percent, was “politically opportunistic and demagogic.” On the same topic the PRI, said the PAN suggestion would only create minimal savings.
++ The Mexican Stock Market rose by 0.47 percent, reaching its highest level since June 16th, last year.
++ Supreme Court justices who are investigating the fire at the ABC day care center that killed 49 infants and toddlers asked the Sonora governor to provide documents from a warehouse located behind the day care center.
++ Rafael Acosta, Juanito, said that one he has completed his leave of absence he will return to the post of Iztatapalapa borough chief and offer Clara Brugada the chance to stay on as head of governance and judicial affairs.
++ Thirty-two murders rocked the country on Friday…Seven of the killings occurred in the State of Mexico, six in Morelos and 12 in Guerrero state.
Blogging Live for the Onedrop.org event...
Blogging Live from Mexico City's Zocalo.. Following the www.onedrop.org .... go to www.anamariasalazar.com Shakira will be performing live for Onedrop.org in New York.. join us on www.onedrop.org...
Thursday, October 08, 2009
News Summary for October 9th, 2009
++ With the PAN standing in opposition the Chamber of Deputies called on Labor Secretary Javier Lozano to recognize Martín Esparza Flores as leader of the Mexican Electricians Union.
++ Martín Esparza Flores led an Electricians Union march from the Angel of Independence to Los Pinos… Esparza Flores charged that a “lynching campaign” is underway to destroy the union.
++ President Calderón’s chief of staff Luis Felipe Bravo Mena met with a delegation from the Mexican Electricians Union headed by Martín Esparza Flores… They handed in a letter addressed to Calderón in which they explained their opposition to Esparza Flores not be recognized as union leader.
++ Meanwhile, dissident workers at the Petróleos Mexicanos union called for the resignation of secretary general, Carlos Romero Deschamps, in keeping with a judge’s sentence.
++ The PAN Chamber of Deputies caucus proposed a law to cut political party public funding by 50 percent.
++ The PRD said it supported Value Added Tax on junk food and medicines that only pull the wool over customer’s eyes…
++ The Health Secretariat said 20 million doses of vaccines against the A H1N1 influenza virus are guaranteed… The first batch of five million will arrive at the end of December and there would be a new batch per month from January through March, officials said.
++ Federal police in Guerrero arrested Jorge Alberto López Orozco, one of the 10 most wanted criminals listed by the FBI… His photograph is on the same list with Osama Bin Laden.
++ Martín Esparza Flores led an Electricians Union march from the Angel of Independence to Los Pinos… Esparza Flores charged that a “lynching campaign” is underway to destroy the union.
++ President Calderón’s chief of staff Luis Felipe Bravo Mena met with a delegation from the Mexican Electricians Union headed by Martín Esparza Flores… They handed in a letter addressed to Calderón in which they explained their opposition to Esparza Flores not be recognized as union leader.
++ Meanwhile, dissident workers at the Petróleos Mexicanos union called for the resignation of secretary general, Carlos Romero Deschamps, in keeping with a judge’s sentence.
++ The PAN Chamber of Deputies caucus proposed a law to cut political party public funding by 50 percent.
++ The PRD said it supported Value Added Tax on junk food and medicines that only pull the wool over customer’s eyes…
++ The Health Secretariat said 20 million doses of vaccines against the A H1N1 influenza virus are guaranteed… The first batch of five million will arrive at the end of December and there would be a new batch per month from January through March, officials said.
++ Federal police in Guerrero arrested Jorge Alberto López Orozco, one of the 10 most wanted criminals listed by the FBI… His photograph is on the same list with Osama Bin Laden.
Wednesday, October 07, 2009
Blogging for One Drop.... Join us!!!!
Join us on Friday October 9th!! I will be blogging for a world wide to "Save the Water" Event.
The launch of the Soyuz TMA-16 last September 30, with Guy Laliberté on board, marked the beginning of the Poetic Social Mission, the world’s very first social and artistic mission to be carried out from space. The purpose: to raise everyone’s awareness of water-related issues by drawing inspiration from the ONE DROP Foundation’s dream, “Water for all, all for water.” Seeking to help advance the movement in favour of water for all, Moving Stars and Earth for Water is part of the scheduled awareness activities. This one-of-a-kind global event, next October 9, will consist in a 2-hour artistic happening AROUND THE WORLD! Including Mexico City!!! The artistic core of the show will consist of a poetic tale written especially for the occasion by renowned novelist and Man-Booker Prize-winner Yann Martel. The tale will be gradually revealed as the program takes us through 14 cities around the world and will bring together personalities from different backgrounds such as Former U.S. Vice president Al Gore, U2, Tatuya Ishii, Peter Gabriel, Patrick Bruel, Shakira, A.R. Rahman, Julie Payette and many others who will join voices with Guy Laliberté to celebrate water. Resonating from selected urban centres, these voices will carry all the way to the International Space Station, echoing their concerns and their hopes for this precious resource.
Please please you must join us on October 9th. HOw? Visit ONEDROP.org often, subscribe to the newsletter and follow us on our social networks (Facebook, Twitter and YouTube)Joining this effort in Mexico City will be leading actor, producer and director Salma Hayek who will be emphasizing the importance of water in agriculture and food security. This will be followed by a stellar performance by critically acclaimed singer Lila Downs at the Gran Hotel overlooking Zocalo Square.
I will be providing you the latest of this extraordinary event blogging, on Twitter (Amsalazar) and FB (Ana Maria Salazar Slack)
The launch of the Soyuz TMA-16 last September 30, with Guy Laliberté on board, marked the beginning of the Poetic Social Mission, the world’s very first social and artistic mission to be carried out from space. The purpose: to raise everyone’s awareness of water-related issues by drawing inspiration from the ONE DROP Foundation’s dream, “Water for all, all for water.” Seeking to help advance the movement in favour of water for all, Moving Stars and Earth for Water is part of the scheduled awareness activities. This one-of-a-kind global event, next October 9, will consist in a 2-hour artistic happening AROUND THE WORLD! Including Mexico City!!! The artistic core of the show will consist of a poetic tale written especially for the occasion by renowned novelist and Man-Booker Prize-winner Yann Martel. The tale will be gradually revealed as the program takes us through 14 cities around the world and will bring together personalities from different backgrounds such as Former U.S. Vice president Al Gore, U2, Tatuya Ishii, Peter Gabriel, Patrick Bruel, Shakira, A.R. Rahman, Julie Payette and many others who will join voices with Guy Laliberté to celebrate water. Resonating from selected urban centres, these voices will carry all the way to the International Space Station, echoing their concerns and their hopes for this precious resource.
Please please you must join us on October 9th. HOw? Visit ONEDROP.org often, subscribe to the newsletter and follow us on our social networks (Facebook, Twitter and YouTube)Joining this effort in Mexico City will be leading actor, producer and director Salma Hayek who will be emphasizing the importance of water in agriculture and food security. This will be followed by a stellar performance by critically acclaimed singer Lila Downs at the Gran Hotel overlooking Zocalo Square.
I will be providing you the latest of this extraordinary event blogging, on Twitter (Amsalazar) and FB (Ana Maria Salazar Slack)
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