Brian Michael Jenkins, a senior Rand executive, appeared last Thursday (July 12) before the U.S. Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
Sunday, July 15, 2012
Political power is ultimate goal of Mexican drug cartels, says U.S. security expert
"All of this transforms the threat of Mexico's drug war from just a political matter to one of U.S. national security"
A security adviser for the Rand Corporation told a Senate panel last week that Mexican drug cartels increasingly are investing in legitimate businesses in this country and abroad, with the ultimate goal of both economic diversification and the acquisition of political power. The latter could portend major problems for the United States, he testified.
Brian Michael Jenkins, a senior Rand executive, appeared last Thursday (July 12) before the U.S. Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
Brian Michael Jenkins, a senior Rand executive, appeared last Thursday (July 12) before the U.S. Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
Mexican federal cop killer arrested
One of three Mexican Federal Police officers wanted by authorities in connection with the June 25 murders of three fellow officers at the Mexico City International Airport has been captured. Bogard Lugo de León was taken into custody today by Mexican military units, law enforcement officials said. He was arrested after an anonymous tip to police.
Saturday, July 14, 2012
Cuban cholera outbreak has Yucatán health authorities on high alert
No local cases detected yet, but state health officials remember 1995 disaster
*Updates below*
Mérida, Yucatán --
A two week old cholera outbreak in Cuba has Yucatán health officials concerned and on the alert.
This morning the Cuban government acknowledged the outbreak for the first time, although it was reported in the international press in early July. Havana said that 158 cases of the illness have been officially diagnosed in major cities, with isolated instances in remote areas of the country. Three people have died, according to government sources. But some outside the country have claimed there are many more cases, based upon anecdotal reports.
Mérida, Yucatán --
A two week old cholera outbreak in Cuba has Yucatán health officials concerned and on the alert.
This morning the Cuban government acknowledged the outbreak for the first time, although it was reported in the international press in early July. Havana said that 158 cases of the illness have been officially diagnosed in major cities, with isolated instances in remote areas of the country. Three people have died, according to government sources. But some outside the country have claimed there are many more cases, based upon anecdotal reports.
Friday, July 13, 2012
Andrés Manuel López Obrador fires in all directions, demanding a new election
A massive conspiracy to defeat him, especially by the press, claims the candidate
Defeated leftist PRD candidate Andrés Manuel López Obrador is pressing ahead with plans to challenge the July 1 election results.
Last week Mexico's federal election authority, the IFE, declared Enrique Peña Nieto the winner by a margin of 6.62%, or about 3.3 million votes of the approximately 50 million votes cast in the presidential contest. The two other parties and their candidates have accepted the IFE ruling, but López Obrador said today that he's assembling proof of fraud and voting irregularities which will be presented in the weeks ahead.
Last week Mexico's federal election authority, the IFE, declared Enrique Peña Nieto the winner by a margin of 6.62%, or about 3.3 million votes of the approximately 50 million votes cast in the presidential contest. The two other parties and their candidates have accepted the IFE ruling, but López Obrador said today that he's assembling proof of fraud and voting irregularities which will be presented in the weeks ahead.
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
The incompetent CORRUPT getting much better Mexican Aduana, and the great DHL guys in Guadalajara
How to go mad living in Mexico . . .
*See Jan. 7, 2014 update at bottom*
Mérida, Yucatán --
People who live outside this country are naturally curious about what day to day life is like in Mexico. I share this experience for those who are accustomed to routinely ordering all sorts of things from electronic marketplaces, like eBay or Amazon. I was a regular customer of both for years, but not anymore. Most of their offerings are now far beyond my reach.
The overwhelming majority of products offered by U.S. retailers on eBay are simply not available for delivery to Mexico. The same is true with most foreign retailers who are authorized eBay dealers. They won't do business with you if you're in Mexico. There are occasional welcome exceptions. I bought a small item from a Shangai merchant on Christmas Day, 2011. He sent it by ordinary parcel post, and said that I would likely receive it within four to six weeks. If it never arrived, I was assured a full refund. I had made up my mind not to even think about the item until March 1. It got here in 17 days, all marked up with Chinese characters, and in perfect condition. I was amazed.
Mérida, Yucatán --
People who live outside this country are naturally curious about what day to day life is like in Mexico. I share this experience for those who are accustomed to routinely ordering all sorts of things from electronic marketplaces, like eBay or Amazon. I was a regular customer of both for years, but not anymore. Most of their offerings are now far beyond my reach.
The overwhelming majority of products offered by U.S. retailers on eBay are simply not available for delivery to Mexico. The same is true with most foreign retailers who are authorized eBay dealers. They won't do business with you if you're in Mexico. There are occasional welcome exceptions. I bought a small item from a Shangai merchant on Christmas Day, 2011. He sent it by ordinary parcel post, and said that I would likely receive it within four to six weeks. If it never arrived, I was assured a full refund. I had made up my mind not to even think about the item until March 1. It got here in 17 days, all marked up with Chinese characters, and in perfect condition. I was amazed.
Memo to Andrés Manuel López Obrador: "¡Ya basta, señor!" (Give it a REST, sir)
MGR Opinion -
This isn't 2006, and it's time for the conspiracy-possessed firebrand to take a seat
PRI - 19,227,000 votes (38.21%)
PRD - 15,896,000 votes (31.59%)
Mérida, Yucatán -
I believe in democracy, and the right of people to select their own leaders. Many say they do, but really don't. They believe in democracy, as long as their candidate ends up on top. If he or she doesn't, they cry foul. Such is the case with defeated PRD candidate Andrés Manuel López Obrador and many (although not all) PRD loyalists.
This isn't 2006, and it's time for the conspiracy-possessed firebrand to take a seat
PRI - 19,227,000 votes (38.21%)
PRD - 15,896,000 votes (31.59%)
Mérida, Yucatán -
I believe in democracy, and the right of people to select their own leaders. Many say they do, but really don't. They believe in democracy, as long as their candidate ends up on top. If he or she doesn't, they cry foul. Such is the case with defeated PRD candidate Andrés Manuel López Obrador and many (although not all) PRD loyalists.
Sunday, July 8, 2012
Mexican voters got suckered on drug war
MGRR Opinion -
A week after July 1, the winner finally 'fesses up on his plans for "Calderón's drug war"
Protester in Mérida, Saturday, July 7, 2012. The photo insert on her sign says, "Este Pendejo No - This idiot no." A more colloquial translation would be of the four letter genre.
Mérida, Yucatán -
I've been writing about Mexican national politics and the just completed presidential election since the first few days of July, 2011. In other words, for more than a year.
Last fall I wrote a piece in a local newspaper praising the aggressive drug war policy of Felipe Calderón, to which a Mérida expat reader responded angrily. She complained that every thing in this country has gone straight down hill since the PANista took office on Dec. 1, 2006. The proof of it, in her estimation (and that of many others, to be sure), was the 50,000 person death toll (a number which is at least 5K higher now).
A week after July 1, the winner finally 'fesses up on his plans for "Calderón's drug war"
Protester in Mérida, Saturday, July 7, 2012. The photo insert on her sign says, "Este Pendejo No - This idiot no." A more colloquial translation would be of the four letter genre.
Mérida, Yucatán -
I've been writing about Mexican national politics and the just completed presidential election since the first few days of July, 2011. In other words, for more than a year.
Last fall I wrote a piece in a local newspaper praising the aggressive drug war policy of Felipe Calderón, to which a Mérida expat reader responded angrily. She complained that every thing in this country has gone straight down hill since the PANista took office on Dec. 1, 2006. The proof of it, in her estimation (and that of many others, to be sure), was the 50,000 person death toll (a number which is at least 5K higher now).
Rising protests against Enrique Peña Nieto, amid charges of "Soriana-gate"
MGRR photojournal report -
Anti-PRIstas take the streets, but Mexico's election commission says there's no legal basis to annul the results
Mérida, Yucatán --
As many as 2,000 people took to the streets here early last evening to protest the IFE's (Mexican Federal Electoral Institute's) official confirmation that PRI candidate Enrique Peña Nieto won the 2012 presidential contest. Final vote tabulation was completed yesterday, and showed all the candidates in more or less the same positions reported last week. IFE declared that Peña Nieto's margin of victory in the four way race was 6.62%, clearly decisive but not the landslide predicted less than two weeks ago.
Anti-PRIstas take the streets, but Mexico's election commission says there's no legal basis to annul the results
Mérida, Yucatán --
As many as 2,000 people took to the streets here early last evening to protest the IFE's (Mexican Federal Electoral Institute's) official confirmation that PRI candidate Enrique Peña Nieto won the 2012 presidential contest. Final vote tabulation was completed yesterday, and showed all the candidates in more or less the same positions reported last week. IFE declared that Peña Nieto's margin of victory in the four way race was 6.62%, clearly decisive but not the landslide predicted less than two weeks ago.
Saturday, July 7, 2012
Security consultant elaborates on "new" Mexican drug war strategy - but is it?
MGRR News Analysis -
A new design for the wheel, or maybe just new chrome plating
Mexico's president-elect Enrique Peña Nieto raised eyebrows several weeks ago when he announced that if elected, he would hire General Óscar Naranjo, a Colombian, as his drug war consultant. Naranjo is the former head of his country's tough, well-respected national police force, and built it into a very effective fighting force against the drug lords with which Bogotá is still contending, albeit on a greatly reduced scale.
These days Naranjo tours on the international circuit, writing, speaking and offering national security advice to countries facing similar challenges. Although none of the other candidates had negative words about Naranjo when Peña Nieto dropped his name - the man's reputation is stellar - PAN candidate Josefina Vázquez Mota suggested that Mexico could find a qualified expert within its own ranks, and without looking abroad.
A new design for the wheel, or maybe just new chrome plating
These days Naranjo tours on the international circuit, writing, speaking and offering national security advice to countries facing similar challenges. Although none of the other candidates had negative words about Naranjo when Peña Nieto dropped his name - the man's reputation is stellar - PAN candidate Josefina Vázquez Mota suggested that Mexico could find a qualified expert within its own ranks, and without looking abroad.
Thursday, July 5, 2012
Enrique Peña Nieto's Manifesto makes New York Times
MGRR News Analysis -
"There can be neither negotiation nor a truce with criminals." - Enrique Peña Nieto
In a open letter to the American public published Monday (July 2) in the New York Times, Mexico's president-elect plainly sought to assuage fears. "Not to worry," was the clear message of the 45 year old PRI candidate, who won a four way race the day before.
Although the results are still being counted and recounted and not everyone is exiting the stage quietly (Andrés Manuel López Obrador calls 2012 election "very dirty, a national shame"), Peña Nieto appears to have won the contest by solid numbers - about 3.2 million votes (Mexico's IFE declares Enrique Peña Nieto the winner; Enrique Peña Nieto captures Mexican presidency).
"There can be neither negotiation nor a truce with criminals." - Enrique Peña Nieto
Although the results are still being counted and recounted and not everyone is exiting the stage quietly (Andrés Manuel López Obrador calls 2012 election "very dirty, a national shame"), Peña Nieto appears to have won the contest by solid numbers - about 3.2 million votes (Mexico's IFE declares Enrique Peña Nieto the winner; Enrique Peña Nieto captures Mexican presidency).
Wednesday, July 4, 2012
One year later, Mérida remembers the "aggression" of July 4 at Glorieta de la Paz
MGRR photojournal report -
A postcard from Yucatán, and a glimpse at the other side of Mexican politics
State police line up on the city's famed Paseo de Montejo, July 4, 2011
Mérida, Yucatán -
Anyone who followed the just-ended presidential campaign knows that political life can get pretty heated at times in this nation of 112 million people, where four major parties (and a few smaller ones) seem never to tire of trading insults. Even when the balloting is over, the name calling often isn't (Andrés Manuel López Obrador calls 2012 election "dirty, a national shame").
Beginning in December, we'll have a divided government here. The powerful Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI) held on to the state governor's post, but the National Action Party (PAN) captured the mayor's office. Which means, beyond doubt, that more political storm clouds are on the local horizon. In fact, the war has already started, as PAN today announced that it will file a challenge to the gubernatorial results.
A postcard from Yucatán, and a glimpse at the other side of Mexican politics
State police line up on the city's famed Paseo de Montejo, July 4, 2011
Mérida, Yucatán -
Anyone who followed the just-ended presidential campaign knows that political life can get pretty heated at times in this nation of 112 million people, where four major parties (and a few smaller ones) seem never to tire of trading insults. Even when the balloting is over, the name calling often isn't (Andrés Manuel López Obrador calls 2012 election "dirty, a national shame").
Beginning in December, we'll have a divided government here. The powerful Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI) held on to the state governor's post, but the National Action Party (PAN) captured the mayor's office. Which means, beyond doubt, that more political storm clouds are on the local horizon. In fact, the war has already started, as PAN today announced that it will file a challenge to the gubernatorial results.
Mexican police investigate death of young AP reporter intern Armando Montano
Aspiring journalist may have died in freak accident
Authorities in Mexico City are continuing their investigation into the death of a young Associated Press intern, whose body was found in an elevator shaft Saturday, June 30.
Armando Montano, a Colorado Springs resident, was 22.
Montano had just graduated from Grinnell Colleged with a bachelor's degree in Latin American studies, according to published news accounts. He was a native Spanish speaker, and had arrived in Mexico City in early June for a summer internship. He planned to pursue a master's degree in journalism at the University of Barcelona.
Armando Montano, a Colorado Springs resident, was 22.
Montano had just graduated from Grinnell Colleged with a bachelor's degree in Latin American studies, according to published news accounts. He was a native Spanish speaker, and had arrived in Mexico City in early June for a summer internship. He planned to pursue a master's degree in journalism at the University of Barcelona.
Tuesday, July 3, 2012
Vicente Fox faces expulsion from PAN
"I only did it out of love for country"
*Updates below*
The president of Mexico's lower legislative body, the Cámara de Diputados, today asked the executive committee of the National Action Party (PAN) to expel former president Vicente Fox, who served as the nation's chief executive from 2000-06.
Fox infuriated his own party during the recent political campaign when he repeatedly made public statements of support for Mexico's president-elect, Enrique Peña Nieto, a member of the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI). Fox said that Josefina Vázquez Mota couldn't win, and that the country needed to get behind the most popular candidate (México tiene un nuevo presidente). He claimed that he made his remarks only out of "love for Mexico." Vázquez Mota finished in distant third place in Sunday's balloting.
The president of Mexico's lower legislative body, the Cámara de Diputados, today asked the executive committee of the National Action Party (PAN) to expel former president Vicente Fox, who served as the nation's chief executive from 2000-06.
Fox infuriated his own party during the recent political campaign when he repeatedly made public statements of support for Mexico's president-elect, Enrique Peña Nieto, a member of the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI). Fox said that Josefina Vázquez Mota couldn't win, and that the country needed to get behind the most popular candidate (México tiene un nuevo presidente). He claimed that he made his remarks only out of "love for Mexico." Vázquez Mota finished in distant third place in Sunday's balloting.
Monday, July 2, 2012
Andrés Manuel López Obrador calls 2012 election "very dirty, a national shame"
"This election was plagued with irregularities" - PRI candidate López Obrador
Mérida, Yucatán --
The Federal Electoral Institute is still busy tonight in Mexico City, tallying the last of Sunday's estimated 50 million ballots. When they're done, they'll begin an automatic recount of every one, a task they've been preparing for many months.
But defeated PRI candidate Andrés Manuel López Obrador wasted no time in making his displeasure known, telling a packed, nationally broadcast press conference earlier this evening that he plans to challenge the final results by every legal means possible.
"This election was plagued with irregularities," he said in a calm and steady voice. "We're going to proceed in accord with the law."
Mérida, Yucatán --
The Federal Electoral Institute is still busy tonight in Mexico City, tallying the last of Sunday's estimated 50 million ballots. When they're done, they'll begin an automatic recount of every one, a task they've been preparing for many months.
But defeated PRI candidate Andrés Manuel López Obrador wasted no time in making his displeasure known, telling a packed, nationally broadcast press conference earlier this evening that he plans to challenge the final results by every legal means possible.
"This election was plagued with irregularities," he said in a calm and steady voice. "We're going to proceed in accord with the law."
Enrique Peña Nieto captures Mexican presidency, returns Los Pinos to PRI
News Analysis - A win, but no mandate
"Esta noche, sí, ganó México - Tonight, Mexico won" - Enrique Peña Nieto
The president-elect made his first campaign stop on the Yucatán peninsula April 9, 2012, at the seaside town of Puerto Progreso.
Mérida, Yucatán --
A funny thing happened to Enrique Peña Nieto, the 45 year old ex-governor of the State of Mexico and leader of the country's powerful Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI), on his way to fulfilling a boyhood dream of being elected president of the Republic of Mexico. He almost didn't make it.
The dashing candidate, whom runner up Andrés Manuel López Obrador once called a soap opera actor, captured 38% of the ballots cast, and beat his opponent by 6.3% - not the 18.4% predicted by the last major poll published on June 27. It wasn't a photo finish. But it wasn't a cakewalk, either, and it left no doubt that PRD is alive and well in this nation of 112 million. Enrique Peña Nieto scored a clear victory. He hardly won a mandate.
"Esta noche, sí, ganó México - Tonight, Mexico won" - Enrique Peña Nieto
Mérida, Yucatán --
A funny thing happened to Enrique Peña Nieto, the 45 year old ex-governor of the State of Mexico and leader of the country's powerful Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI), on his way to fulfilling a boyhood dream of being elected president of the Republic of Mexico. He almost didn't make it.
The dashing candidate, whom runner up Andrés Manuel López Obrador once called a soap opera actor, captured 38% of the ballots cast, and beat his opponent by 6.3% - not the 18.4% predicted by the last major poll published on June 27. It wasn't a photo finish. But it wasn't a cakewalk, either, and it left no doubt that PRD is alive and well in this nation of 112 million. Enrique Peña Nieto scored a clear victory. He hardly won a mandate.
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