http://www.mailbucket.org MailBucket http://www.mailbucket.org/mexicosolidarity-13712701.html ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Mexico-US Solidarity Network Newsletter ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ MSN News and Analysis April 20-26, 2009 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 1. Influenza hits Mexico 2. Civil mediation commission ends its work 3. Activists visit Atenco prisoners 4. Amnesty International condemns arrests in Chiapas 5. Cananea dispute is watershed for organized labor 6. Exports decline 25% in March 7. MSN PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS (Contact MSN@MexicoSolidarity.org) 1. Influenza hits Mexico Mexico education and health officials closed schools and public venues across the Mexico City valley on Friday, April 24, in response to a growing concern over influenza. Officials are trying to break the cycle of contagion by encouraging people to avoid public places with large gatherings where the airborn illness can easily spread. At least 20 people have died and about 1,300 illnesses were reported in recent weeks from a new strain of influenza that includes genetic material from pigs, birds and humans. In almost 80% of the reported cases, patients recovered and returned home. About 30 million people live in the Mexico City valley area. The deaths are of particular concern because the victims were generally from less vulnerable groups, including young people and adults. President Felipe Calderon addressed the nation on Sunday afternoon and assured citizens that cures are available for this strain of influenza. Deaths appear to be the result of untreated cases of influenza that progressed to pneumonia or other complications. Tests show some of the Mexico victims died from the same new strain of virus that sickened eight people recently in California and Texas, and appears to be spreading to Kansas and New York. Authorities in the US say patients in California and Texas exhibited mild symptoms and all recovered. Symptoms resemble the regular human seasonal influenza and include fever, lethargy, lack of appetite and coughing. The US Center for Disease Control (CDC) web site says some people with swine flu experience a runny nose, sore throat, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Deaths have been reported in Mexico probably in large part because much of the Mexican population is malnourished. Poverty-stricken countries like Mexico, where more than half the population lives on less than one dollar a day, often suffer more deaths from news strains of influenza than wealthier countries. The CDC recommends the use of the common flu drugs Tamiflu (generic oseltamivir) and Relenza. The CDC and Mexican health officials recommend frequent hand-washing, and avoidance of hand-shaking or the traditional kiss on the cheek as preventative measures. US health officials have NOT issued a travel advisory for Mexico, and neither has the World Health Organization. 2. Civil mediation commission ends its work Members of the civil commission mediating the case of two disappeared members of the Popular Revolutionary Army (EPR), a guerilla group active in southern and central Mexico, ended their work on Tuesday citing "a lack of interest and political will" on the part of government officials. The EPR initiated a unilateral ceasefire nine months ago after the civil commission agreed to act as a mediating body, trying to clarify what happened to two EPR activists who disappeared on May 24, 2007. The civil commission accused the government of being "capable of only making declarations" during the nine month investigation. Government officials rejected direct talks with the EPR, and called on the civil commission to renew its work, but without making concrete offers to step up the investigation. 3. Activists visit Atenco prisoners Members of the Commission for Justice in Atenco were able for the first time to visit three political prisoners from the Popular Front in Defense of the Land (FPDT). Ignacio del Valle, Hector Galindo and Felipe Alvarez are held in a maximum security prison in Altiplano, sentenced to as much as 112 years for "kidnapping." All three activists were taken into custody during police riots in San Salvador Atenco on May 3 and 4, 2006, and have been in prison since. They are accused of detaining government officials during a series of negotiations over land rights in Atenco, a common occurrence in rural areas, even though none of the three were present during the detention according the detained officials. Members of the Commission, which included Bishop Samuel Ruiz and human rights activist Miguel Concha, reported inhumane conditions for the three activists, who are subject to daily strip searches and denied access to books or newspapers. The Commission called on authorities to move the three activists to a local prison while their cases are appealed. 4. Amnesty International condemns arrests in Chiapas Amnesty International (AI) Long message truncated by MailBucket.]]> Mon, 27 Apr 2009 22:31:19 -0400 (EDT) http://www.mailbucket.org/mexicosolidarity-13712701.html http://www.mailbucket.org/mexicosolidarity-13622184.html MEXICO SOLIDARITY NETWORK WEEKLY NEWS AND ANALYSIS APRIL 13-19, 2009 1. CHIAPAS ARRESTS LEAD TO MEDIA BATTLE 2. JOINT US-MEXICO MILITARY EXERCISES 3. NEW REFINERY FOR HIDALGO 4. TROOPS MAY LEAVE JUAREZ IN SIX MONTHS 5. OBAMA VISITS MEXICO 6. MSN PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS (Contact MSN@MexicoSolidarity.org) 1. CHIAPAS ARRESTS LEAD TO MEDIA BATTLE Federal police arrested six indigenous residents of San Sebastian Bachajon on Tuesday, then tortured and beat them into signing confessions. The six men, adherents to the Other Campaign, are part of a community movement to protect communal farmlands from tourist development in the Agua Azul region. The state government went to unusual lengths to condemn the six activists, purchasing full page ads compete with photos in two national newspapers. On Thursday and Friday, members of the Other Campaign blocked the highway that passes Agua Azul demanding release of the six prisoners. The Governor of Chiapas sent army troops, Federal Preventative Police and local police in an unprecedented display of force to open the highway. At least 800 security forces took part in the operation, firing weapons into the air to disperse the protestors. 2. JOINT US-MEXICO MILITARY EXERCISES Mexico’s Senate voted this week to allow the Navy to participate in joint US-Mexico International Anti-Submarine War Exercises, scheduled for April 19 to May 7 in Florida. The military exercises are directed at narcotics interdiction. The joint actions represent a dramatic policy change for Mexico’s military, which traditionally considers the US its number one enemy. 3. NEW REFINERY FOR HIDALGO Pemex announced the construction of a ten billion dollar petroleum refinery in Tula, Hidalgo, the first new refinery in Mexico in more than a decade. The refinery will expand an existing plant at the same site, and will produce 142,000 barrels of gasoline per day, plus diesel and jet fuel. Governor Miguel Angel Osorio has 100 days to secure the necessary 1,500 acres for construction, which may require expropriation of campesino lands. Construction won’t begin until 2012 with completion expected in 2015. 4. TROOPS MAY LEAVE JUAREZ IN SIX MONTHS Nearly 8,000 army troops sent to Ciudad Juarez to control organized crime will begin to leave the city in six months, according to Mayor Jose Reyes. Since the beginning of the military operation in March, Reyes claims homicides declined by 95%. Ciudad Juarez has been under a virtual state of siege since March, with troops patrolling streets and manning roving checkpoints. 5. OBAMA VISITS MEXICO Barack Obama visited Mexico on Thursday and Friday, his first foray into Mexico since assuming the Presidency. The visit was largely protocol designed to support President Calderon and his National Action Party in anticipation of this Summer’s mid-term elections. No significant new initiatives were announced, though Obama expressed support for Calderon’s war on drugs and for a new immigration pact. The President suffered an uncomfortable moment when a Mexican reporter reminded him that as a Senator from Illinois he voted in favor of the construction of a border wall in 2007. 6. MSN PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS (Contact MSN@MexicoSolidarity.org) STUDY ABROAD PROGRAM: Mexico Solidarity Network study abroad programs are accredited at the undergraduate and masters level by the Universidad Autonoma Metropolitana, one of Mexico’s most prestigious public universities. Hampshire College is the US school of record and provides official transcripts. Spring 2009, January 25 – May 2: Study in Chiapas, Tlaxcala, and Mexico City, focusing on the theory and practice of Mexican social movements, including indigenous movements, campesino organizations, and urban movements. The 14-week, 16-credit program includes intensive Spanish language courses and alternative study options for native Spanish speakers. Summer 2009, May 24 – June 27: Study Zapatismo in Chiapas. This five week, six credit program includes intensive Spanish classes and alternative study options for native Spanish speakers. Students will visit several centers of Zapatista resistance and study the theory, practice and context of Zapatismo. Summer 2009, June 7 – August 1: Study Mexico’s most important social movements in Chiapas, Mexico City and Tlaxcala. The eight-week, 11-credit program includes intensive Spanish classes and alternative study options for native Spanish speakers. Summer 2009, June 14 – July 4: This special research program in Ciudad Juarez focuses on US-Mexico border dynamics, with a particular emphasis on the recent military occupation of the city. The three-week, 4-credit program is Spanish immersion. This special program is open only to students who are over 21 years old, fluent Spanish speakers, and willing to abide by a disciplined security regimen. Fall 2009, September 6 – December 12: Study in Chiapas, Tlaxcala and Mexico City, focusing on the theory and practice Long message truncated by MailBucket.]]> Thu, 23 Apr 2009 11:00:54 -0500 http://www.mailbucket.org/mexicosolidarity-13622184.html http://www.mailbucket.org/mexicosolidarity-13125434.html .headerTop { background-color:#ffffff; border-top:0px solid #000000; = border-bottom:0px solid #FFCC66; text-align:right; } .adminText { = font-size:10px; color:#FFFFCC; line-height:200%; font-family:verdana; = text-decoration:none; } .headerBar { background-color:#fcd200; = border-top:0px solid #fcd200; border-bottom:0px solid #333333; } .title { = font-size:30px; font-weight:bold; color:#336600; font-family:arial; = line-height:110%; } .subTitle { font-size:11px; font-weight:normal; = color:#666666; font-style:italic; font-family:arial; } td { = font-size:12px; color:#000000; line-height:150%; font-family:trebuchet ms; = } .footerRow { background-color:#FFFFCC; border-top:10px solid #fcd200; } = .footerText { font-size:10px; color:#333333; line-height:100%; = font-family:verdana; } a { color:#0063be; color:#0063be; color:#0063be; } = =20 =20 =20 =20 Clean=20 Plus Hand Wipes.Non-abrasive=20 economical hand cleansing wet wipes for frequent use. 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To=20 learn more click hereCapital=20 Pro Marketing is a specialis Long message truncated by MailBucket.]]> Sat, 4 Apr 2009 05:11:08 +0200 http://www.mailbucket.org/mexicosolidarity-13125434.html http://www.mailbucket.org/mexicosolidarity-13124307.html ]]> Sat, 4 Apr 2009 03:36:41 +0200 http://www.mailbucket.org/mexicosolidarity-13124307.html http://www.mailbucket.org/mexicosolidarity-13070652.html Greetings! It is understandable that you might be a little bit apprehensive because you do not know me, Please forgive this unusual manner to contact you, but this particular letter/email is of exceptional and very private nature, as by virtue of my vantage position in Bank of China Hong Kong i have a lucrative business proposal of mutual interest to share with you. There is no way for me to know whether I will be properly understood, but it is my duty to write and reach out to you, TRUSTING that you will give this proposal a positive consideration. I am Mr. LEE Raymond Wing Hung I am 58years old and happily married with grown-up children, and i am a Director of Bank of China Hong Kong in charge of the International Remittance department. I will need you to assist me in executing a business project from our bank worth US$30.5 Million. These funds were deposited with our bank by a customer of our bank who is a national {citizen} of your country, who unfortunately died in the December 2004 Asia Tsunami disaster. For more on this natural disaster click on these links:- http://news.bbc.co.uk/cbbcnews/hi/newsid_4530000/newsid_4537600/4537601.stm http://edition.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/asiapcf/02/19/tsunami.bush.clinton/index. html http://www.smh.com.au/news/Asia-Tsunami/Tsunami-survivors-face-disease-star vation/2004/12/28/1103996558253.html http://www.globalsecurity.org/eye/andaman-us.htm The deceased account has been declared dormant since 2006 and these funds will be confiscated/declared unserviceable and turned over to the Hong Kong government if the deceased business associates or next-of-kin did not claim this money; since all efforts to trace any living relative of the deceased proved abortive, i have decided that i will have you claim this money as the deceased business associate/or next-of-kin, since you are from the same country and perhaps have some similarities in certain areas. Everything concerning this transaction shall be LEGALLY done without hitch, as i was the deceased account Officer and all the relevant documents of this deposit were kept under my care. Please endeavor to observe utmost discretion in all matters concerning this issue, as i hope that you are a sincere, honest and matured person and above all TRUSTWORTHY. Once the funds have been successfully transferred into your account, we shall share it in a ratio of 30% for you, 65% for me and my associates in the bank and the reminder 5% to take care of contingencies. I will prefer you reach me on my private email address below :{ leewhraymond@yahoo.com.hk) and finally after that I shall furnish you with more information about this operation. I am counting on your anticipated co-operation for a successful and hitch free business transaction between us, that will be mutually beneficial, for a start oblige me these information:- 1. Your Full name{s}:- 2.Current contact address:- 3. Your present Occupation: - 4.Your age:- 5. Contact phone numbers {Office and Mobile {cell}:- Please if you are not interested delete this email and do not hurt me because I am putting my career and the life of my family at stake with this venture. Although nothing ventured is nothing gained, as it is said, the taste of the pudding is in the eating, do give this proposal SERIOUS AND POSITIVE CONSIDERATION. Your earliest response to this letter will be highly appreciated. Kind regards, Mr. LEE Raymond Wing Hung Bank of China Hong Kong.{ Asia } Email:- leewhraymond@yahoo.com.hk PS:-PLEASE SEND YOUR REPLY STRICTLY TO THIS E-MAIL ADDRESS:- leewhraymond@yahoo.com.hk ]]> Wed, 01 Apr 2009 19:36:10 +1100 http://www.mailbucket.org/mexicosolidarity-13070652.html http://www.mailbucket.org/mexicosolidarity-12985329.html .headerTop { background-color:#ffffff; border-top:0px solid #000000; = border-bottom:0px solid #FFCC66; text-align:right; } .adminText { = font-size:10px; color:#FFFFCC; line-height:200%; font-family:verdana; = text-decoration:none; } .headerBar { background-color:#fcd200; = border-top:0px solid #fcd200; border-bottom:0px solid #333333; } .title { = font-size:30px; font-weight:bold; color:#336600; font-family:arial; = line-height:110%; } .subTitle { font-size:11px; font-weight:normal; = color:#666666; font-style:italic; font-family:arial; } td { = font-size:12px; color:#000000; line-height:150%; font-family:trebuchet ms; = } .footerRow { background-color:#FFFFCC; border-top:10px solid #fcd200; } = .footerText { font-size:10px; color:#333333; line-height:100%; = font-family:verdana; } a { color:#0063be; color:#0063be; color:#0063be; } = =20 =20 =20 =20 The=20 Most Powerful and Trusted Professional Hand Wipe in the=20 World!Ideal=20 when soap and water is just not practical or available. Used = by=20 workers in every industrial and agricultural sector. The=20 unbeatable cleaning power of Clean Plus=AE Hand Wipes makes = them the=20 Professional's choice. The efficient yet protective skin = formula is=20 combined with a tough, textured wipe that loosens, dissolves = and=20 absorbs dirt and grease leaving your hands truly clean. = Effective,=20 affordable Clean Plus=AE one-step pre-moistened wipes gives = you the=20 power of a powerful professional pumice soap that you can use=20 anywhere, anyplace and anytime. =20 =20 "HP"=20 Hand Cleansing Wet Wipes 80=20 WipesRef # : 02 420207 80 servietter = 25 x 28=20 cm "HP"=20 Hand Cleansing Wet Wipes150=20 WipesRef # : 02 420208150 servietter = 25 x 28=20 cm Clean=20 Plus=AE Soft Hand WipesNon-abrasive=20 economical hand cleansing wet wipes for frequent use. Ideal = for Long message truncated by MailBucket.]]> Sat, 28 Mar 2009 16:50:25 +0100 http://www.mailbucket.org/mexicosolidarity-12985329.html http://www.mailbucket.org/mexicosolidarity-12804163.html Mexico Solidarity Network Red de Solidaridad con Mexico Spaces open for Summer 2009 Mexican Social Movements Programs The Mexico Solidarity Network offers three unique study abroad programs this summer focused on Mexico's most important living social movements: May 24 - June 27: STUDY THE ZAPATISTA MOVEMENT IN CHIAPAS  Visit two of the five centers of Zapatista resistance.  The program includes intensive Spanish or Tzotzil language courses, and seminars on the theory, practice and context of Zapatismo. 5 Weeks, 6 credits June 14 - July 3: STUDY THE CURRENT SECURITY SITUATION, MAQUILADORAS AND THE IMPACT OF NEOLIBERALISM IN CIUDAD JUAREZ  This special research program is open only to fluent Spanish speakers over 21 years of age willing to abide by rigorous standards of safety. 3 Weeks, 4 credits June 7 - August 1: STUDY THREE OF MEXICO'S MOST IMPORTANT SOCIAL MOVEMENTS Spend three weeks in Chiapas with the Zapatistas, then two weeks in Tlaxcala with organized campesinos, and finally three weeks in Mexico City with the nation's most important urban housing movement.  The program includes intensive Spanish or Tzotzil language courses, and seminars on the theory, practice and context of Zapatismo, the Consejo Nacional Urbano y Campesino, and the Frente Popular Francisco Villa Independiente. 8 Weeks, 11 credits SUMMER 2009 -Application deadline March 31, 2008 or capacity. For more info or to download an application form, visit: www.mexicosolidarity.org/site/studyabroad [1] or write to msn@mexicosolidarity.org [2] Mexico Solidarity Network http://www.mexicosolidarity.org This message is sent to you because you are subscribed to the mailing list sap@mexicosolidarity.org [3]. We're sorry but the link below does not work, if you wish to unsubscribe, please send a message with unsubscribe in the subject line and your address in the message box. [1] http://www.mexicosolidarity.org/site/studyabroad [2] msn@mexicosolidarity.org [3] sap@mexicosolidarity.org ]]> 20 Mar 2009 16:35:31 -0000 http://www.mailbucket.org/mexicosolidarity-12804163.html http://www.mailbucket.org/mexicosolidarity-12804162.html .headerTop { background-color:#ffffff; border-top:0px solid #000000; = border-bottom:0px solid #FFCC66; text-align:right; } .adminText { = font-size:10px; color:#FFFFCC; line-height:200%; font-family:verdana; = text-decoration:none; } .headerBar { background-color:#fcd200; = border-top:0px solid #fcd200; border-bottom:0px solid #333333; } .title { = font-size:30px; font-weight:bold; color:#336600; font-family:arial; = line-height:110%; } .subTitle { font-size:11px; font-weight:normal; = color:#666666; font-style:italic; font-family:arial; } td { = font-size:12px; color:#000000; line-height:150%; font-family:trebuchet ms; = } .footerRow { background-color:#FFFFCC; border-top:10px solid #fcd200; } = .footerText { font-size:10px; color:#333333; line-height:100%; = font-family:verdana; } a { color:#0063be; color:#0063be; color:#0063be; } = =20 =20 =20 =20 The=20 Most Powerful and Trusted Professional Hand Wipe in the=20 World!Ideal=20 when soap and water is just not practical or available. Used = by=20 workers in every industrial and agricultural sector. The=20 unbeatable cleaning power of Clean Plus=AE Hand Wipes makes = them the=20 Professional's choice. The efficient yet protective skin = formula is=20 combined with a tough, textured wipe that loosens, dissolves = and=20 absorbs dirt and grease leaving your hands truly clean. = Effective,=20 affordable Clean Plus=AE one-step pre-moistened wipes gives = you the=20 power of a powerful professional pumice soap that you can use=20 anywhere, anyplace and anytime. =20 =20 "HP"=20 Hand Cleansing Wet Wipes 80=20 WipesRef # : 02 420207 80 servietter = 25 x 28=20 cm "HP"=20 Hand Cleansing Wet Wipes150=20 WipesRef # : 02 420208150 servietter = 25 x 28=20 cm Clean=20 Plus=AE Soft Hand WipesNon-abrasive=20 economical hand cleansing wet wipes for frequent use. Ideal = for Long message truncated by MailBucket.]]> Thu, 19 Mar 2009 23:40:15 +0100 http://www.mailbucket.org/mexicosolidarity-12804162.html http://www.mailbucket.org/mexicosolidarity-12766752.html Mexico Solidarity Network Red de Solidaridad con Mexico MEXICO SOLIDARITY NETWORK WEEKLY NEWS AND ANALYSIS MARCH 9-15, 2009 1. ATTACK ON COMMUNITY RADIO STATIONS 2. HOUSE CUTS FUNDING FOR PLAN MERIDA 3. RICHEST MEN IN MEXICO 4. MSN PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS (Contact MSN@MexicoSolidarity.org [1]) 1. ATTACK ON COMMUNITY RADIO STATIONS The Calderon administration continued its attack on community radio stations this week, closing a popular indigenous station in the state of Veracruz, presumably for operating without federal permits.  The Federal Attorney General closed the Malinche Estereo on Friday, arresting the owner and an announcer.  Last Wednesday, the Federal Investigate Agency (AFI) closed Tu Voz en el Radio, located in central Veracruz.  In both cases, agents confiscated equipment.  The closures continue a policy initiated by President Calderon to attack community radio stations functioning without federal permits.  Many of the stations applied for the necessary permits, but federal authorities often take years to answer the petitions.  In perhaps the most dramatic case to date, authorities closed the Tierra y Libertad station, in Monterrey which had been functioning for at least seven years broadcasting from a popular barrio.  The actions are selectively directed at radio stations with political messages, while federal authorities generally leave untouched the hundreds of religious stations and those affiliated with local PAN or PRI governments that broadcast throughout the country without formal permission. 2. HOUSE CUTS FUNDING FOR MERIDA INITIATIVE The US House of Representatives cut funding for the Merida Initiative this week by US$150 million, leaving US$300 million for fiscal 2009.  The Merida Initiative, approved initially under the Bush administration, provides advanced training, weapons and intelligence gathering equipment to Mexican security forces for their battle against narcotics cartels and for counterinsurgency measures.  In addition, the Obama administration slowed the delivery of Bell and Blackhawk helicopters that were part of last year’s commitment.  During hearings on the legislation, Assistant Secretary of State David Johnson said that Mexican cartels earned between US$13 and $25 billion per year mainly from the illegal sale of marijuana, cocaine, heroin and amphetamines. The Obama administration is sending mixed messages to Mexico concerning drug enforcement measures.  Last week, William Perry, the highest ranking US military official, visited counterparts in Mexico to increase cooperation between armed forces, possibly paving the way for the presence of US security personnel in Mexican territory.  Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is expected to visit Mexico next week with a similar message.  And Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano is also expected to visit Mexico in coming weeks with a large delegation to discuss increased cooperation on border security. 3. RICHEST MEN IN MEXICO Forbes Magazine sited Joaquin “El Chapo” (Shorty) Guzman as one of the world’s wealthiest men on its annual list.  Guzman is head of the Sinaloa Cartel, one of three organized crime organizations currently battling for control of Mexico’s lucrative drug markets.  While the Gulf Cartel, centered in Ciudad Juarez, and La Familia, centered in Michoacan, have been weakened by federal enforcement measures, Guzman’s operation appears largely untouched.  Guzman was number 701 on the Forbes list with an estimated wealth of US$1 billion.  The 51-year-old capo was arrested in 1993 and imprisoned on drug and murder charges, but escaped from Mexico’s highest security federal prison in 2001 under the Fox administration.  Editors at Forbes said that Guzman was not available for interviews.  Mexican telecom giant Carlos Slim Helu remained third on the list, though he reportedly lost US$25 billion during last year’s economic crisis. 4. MSN PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS (Contact MSN@MexicoSolidarity.org [2]) STUDY ABROAD PROGRAM: Mexico Solidarity Network study abroad programs are accredited at the undergraduate and masters level by the Universidad Autonoma Metropolitana, one of Mexico’s most prestigious public universities.  Hampshire College is the US school of record and provides official transcripts. Spring 2009, January 25 – May 2: Study in Chiapas, Tlaxcala, and Mexico City, focusing on the theory and practice of Mexican social movements, including indigenous movements, campesino organizations, and urban movements.  The 14-week, 16-credit program includes intensive Spanish language courses and alternative study options for native Spanish speakers. Summer 2009, May 24 – June 27: Study Zapatismo in Chiapas.  This five week, six credit program includes intensive Spanish classes and alternative study options for native Spanish speakers.  Students will visit several centers of Zapatista resistance and study the theory, practice and context of Zapatismo. Summer 20 Long message truncated by MailBucket.]]> 18 Mar 2009 23:45:48 -0000 http://www.mailbucket.org/mexicosolidarity-12766752.html http://www.mailbucket.org/mexicosolidarity-12746338.html Mexico Solidarity Network Red de Solidaridad con Mexico Veronica Leyva – Militarization, Violence & Social Change at the Border DATES OPEN- April 27th - May 2nd Veronica Leyva is a grassroots organizer in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico. Veronica spent ten years working in the maquiladora industry, and has been organizing in her community for fifteen years conducting workshops on worker's and women's rights. She has also been involved with the struggle for justice for the victims of the femicides in Ciudad Juarez. Veronica has worked with various organizations in civil society struggling to change the overall living conditions in her community, and was most recently working with CETLAC (Centro de Estudios y Taller Laboral), until joining the MSN. Faced with an unfathomable increase in violence and a hard-hitting economic crisis, Ciudad Juarez and other cities along the border are struggling to survive. Veronica will discuss the battle at the border to confront militarization, increased internal migration, and insecure living conditions. In her talk she will analyze President Felipe Calderon's army-led war on drugs and the millions of dollars promised in US aid for this war via the Merida Initiatve. She will report back on her own experience of the violent repercussions of these security initiatives for social struggles and civil society along the border. Contact speakingtours@mexicosolidarity.org [1] to schedule an event in your city. [1] speakingtours@mexicosolidarity.org ]]> 17 Mar 2009 21:25:26 -0000 http://www.mailbucket.org/mexicosolidarity-12746338.html http://www.mailbucket.org/mexicosolidarity-12524443.html Mexico Solidarity Network Red de Solidaridad con Mexico MEXICO SOLIDARITY NETWORK WEEKLY NEWS AND ANALYSIS MARCH 2-8, 2009 1. Zapatista’s international women’s day celebration 2. US military proposes joint actions with Mexico 3. Peso reaches historic lows 4. MSN PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS (Contact MSN@MexicoSolidarity.org [1]) 1. Zapatista’s international women’s day celebration Oventic, one of five Zapatista cultural/political centers, was the site of a two day international women’s day celebration on March 7th and 8th featuring sporting events, music and political discourse.  At least 3,000 people, including indigenous women, urban activists and international guests, participated in the celebration. 2. US military proposes joint actions with Mexico Admiral Michael Mullen, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, visited Mexico this week with a proposal to increase cooperation between military forces, especially in the areas of intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance.  While Mullen did not explicitly discuss the use of US troops in Mexico, he noted that Mexican authorities are increasingly open to bolstering military cooperation with the United States.  The presence of US troops in Mexico would break with more than 150 years of sovereignty.  Discussions of military cooperation involving surveillance and reconnaissance, which would presumably require the presence of US troops on Mexican soil, met with widespread popular resistance.  Yet Mullen remained upbeat: “What I find is the military to military relationship is the best I've ever seen it.”  Last year, the US Congress approved US$1.4 billion in military assistance for Mexico, and the Obama administration is trying to fast track this year’s payment.  Mullen said the US military was ready to share tactics learned during the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan that could prove useful in Mexico's drug war.  The US military is “sharing a lot of lessons we've learned, how we've developed similar capabilities over the last three or four years in our counter-insurgency efforts as we have fought terrorist networks.  There are an awful lot of similarities,” he said.  This marks the first time a high ranking government official from either country has referred to Mexico’s battle against narcotics cartels as a “counter-insurgency effort.” Mullen’s comments help to put in perspective recent actions by US officials, including a Travel Advisory issued by the State Department and a critical assessment of President Calderon’s war on drugs.  With Mexico’s economy in serious trouble, the Travel Advisory will likely hurt the tourist industry, the fourth most important source of foreign currency after migrant remittances, petroleum sales and narco-dollars.  The Obama administration may be sending a not so subtle message – cooperate with our military and that might give us a reason to remove the Travel Advisory.  Calderon appears open to the overtures.  His current efforts to curtail organized crime have fallen flat, in large part because narco-dollars and high-powered weapons continue to flow from the US feeding the violence of the Sinaloa, Juarez and Michoacan cartels.  His presidency is increasingly seen as isolated and inconsequential.  Many Mexicans are looking to 2010 as a year for dramatic change, similar to the 1910 Revolution and the 1810 Independence.  The US military may be using the war on drugs as a cover to insert counter-insurgency units in Mexico in anticipation of expected social unrest in 2010. Meanwhile, more troops and Federal Preventative Police arrived in Ciudad Juarez, brining the total number of federal forces to nearly 8,000.  During the first few days after their arrival, murders declined in the city.  A similar response occurred last year when President Calderon sent 2,000 troops to the city, but within weeks the murder rate skyrocketed as three cartels battle for control of the city.  Many residents expect the “cucaracha effect,” meaning that cartel members will likely move to other nearby cities while the army remains in Ciudad Juarez. 3. Peso reaches historic lows The peso traded at more than 15 per dollar at the end of the week, continuing a decline begun in September in which the currency has lost nearly half of its value.  Mexico’s Treasury Department is selling at least US$400 million dollars daily in an effort to stabilize the currency, but experts expect the decline to continue. 4. MSN PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS (Contact MSN@MexicoSolidarity.org [2]) STUDY ABROAD PROGRAM: Mexico Solidarity Network study abroad programs are accredited at the undergraduate and masters level by the Universidad Autonoma Metropolitana, one of Mexico’s most prestigious public universities.  Hampshire College is the US school of record and provides official transcripts. Spring 2009, January 25 – May 2: Study in Chiapas, Tlaxcala, and Mexico City, focusing on the theory and practice of Mexican Long message truncated by MailBucket.]]> 9 Mar 2009 03:31:40 -0000 http://www.mailbucket.org/mexicosolidarity-12524443.html http://www.mailbucket.org/mexicosolidarity-12419878.html Mexico Solidarity Network Red de Solidaridad con Mexico Unique Accredited Study Abroad Program in Mexico –please distribute Accepting Fall 2009 applications. For detailed program information please visit our web site at: http://www.mexicosolidarity.org/studyabroad [1]. FALL 2009 Program: Mexican Social Movements Sept 6 – Dec 12, 2009: 14 Weeks, 16 Semester Credits Week 1-6, Chiapas –Indigenous Movements Week 7, Vacation Break Week 8-10, Tlaxcala-Campesino/Urban Movements Week 11-12, Mexico City-Urban Community Based Movements Week 13-14, Ciudad Juárez-Community Based Movements-Border Issues, Maquiladoras The Mexico Solidarity Network study abroad experience offers a dynamic, student-centered pedagogy combined with direct interaction with some of Mexico’s most important social movements.  The unique integration of theory and practice provides students with important lessons for their organizing work back home and an in depth appreciation of the struggles of: • Indigenous Communities [Chiapas] • Campesinos, Braceros, and organized sex workers [Tlaxcala] • Autonomous urban organizing around housing and culture [Mexico City] • Maquilladora workers, barrio organizing and families of femicide victims [Ciudad Juarez] The Program is accredited by the Universidad Autonoma Metropolitana in Mexico City.  Hampshire College is the US school of record.  Please accept our apologies if you have received this email in error. To be removed from the Mexico Solidarity Network mailing list, please send a blank message to "allies-unsubscribe@mexicosolidarity.org [2]" If this message has been forwarded to you and you would like to subscribe to the Mexico Solidarity Network mailing list, please visit www.mexicosolidarity.org and use the subscription feature provided, or send a blank message to allies-subscribe@mexicosolidarity.org [3] [1] http://www.mexicosolidarity.org/studyabroad [2] allies-unsubscribe@mexicosolidarity.org [3] allies-subscribe@mexicosolidarity.org ]]> 4 Mar 2009 20:51:26 -0000 http://www.mailbucket.org/mexicosolidarity-12419878.html http://www.mailbucket.org/mexicosolidarity-12342059.html Mexico Solidarity Network Red de Solidaridad con Mexico MEXICO SOLIDARITY NETWORK WEEKLY NEWS AND ANALYSIS FEBRUARY 23 – MARCH 1, 2009 1. Organized crime dominates the news 2. Indigenous leaders assassinated in Guerrero 3. MSN PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS (Contact MSN@MexicoSolidarity.org [1]) 1. Organized crime dominates the news Organized crime dominated Mexico’s news this week as the US State Department released an annual report on drug trafficking, the US Consulate issued a security alert for Mexican border cities, the Calderon administration ramped up its critique of the opposition PRI around security issues in anticipation of this summer’s elections, US authorities announced drug busts in three states related to the Sinaloa Cartel, and Mexican authorities committed an additional 6,000 troops to Ciudad Juarez. The Calderon administration will send 5,000 army troops and 1,000 Federal Preventative Police to Ciudad Juarez, in addition to 2,000 troops already mobilized since March 27, 2008.  Eighteen hundred troops arrived this weekend, with the rest expected next week.  Three drug cartels - the Juarez Cartel aka La Linea, the Sinaloa Cartel aka Gente Nueva, and the Michoacan Cartel aka La Familia - are battling for control of this border city of 1.8 million that accounts for 40% of the illegal drugs entering the US.  In the past 14 months, at least 2,750 cartel members, police and army troops have been murdered, with many of the bodies exhibiting signs of torture.  The beefed up force will triple the number of security patrols on the streets of Juarez from 150 to 450, and the army is expected to step up its use of arbitrary street closures and warrantless home searches.  Calderon agreed to send the troops after a February 25 meeting of his Security Cabinet with state and local officials in which the mayor of Juarez agreed to cover the costs of food and lodging.  Chihuahua Governor Jose Reyes from the opposition PRI reportedly opposed the federal initiative, despite an attack by cartel members on his caravan last Sunday night that killed a bodyguard.  Reyes, who has long been linked with drug cartels, shrugged off the attack and claimed he was not the intended target.  Also on Sunday, cartels posted banners threatening Ciudad Juarez Mayor Jose Reyes Ferriz after he threatened to clean up the local police force.  As much as 80% of the officers are suspected of being on cartel payrolls.  Earlier in the week, Juarez Police Chief Roberto Oduño quit, two days after cartel banners threatened that a police office would be killed every 48 hours if the chief remained on the job.  Cartels often send public messages by hanging large banners at busy intersections or overpasses. The troop buildup includes eight helicopters and two troop transport planes from the Air Force.  The objective is to place Juarez “under siege” by saturating the “theater of operations” with heavily armed troops.  The army plans to use Juarez as a proving ground for new strategies that, if successful, will likely be used in other problem states, including Sinaloa, Baja California and Guererro.  Calderon promised to “finally end” the presence of organized crime in Juarez, a tall order for an administration that has made precious little progress in its national war on drugs despite sending over 45,000 troops into action. Meanwhile, the US State Department released its annual International Narcotics Control Strategy Report on Friday.  The report applauded President Felipe Calderon for making headway in the struggle against drug cartels, but warned “progress, however, comes against a backdrop of continuing high levels of corruption and turmoil within Mexico’s security and judicial bodies. Corruption throughout Mexico’s public institutions remains a key impediment to successfully curtailing the power of the drug cartels.”  The report found, “the restructuring of security forces, coupled with the military's strong engagement in the fight to dismantle major drug trafficking organizations, has proven to be effective,” despite little evidence to support the sweeping conclusion.  The report noted high levels of corruption at all levels of the Mexican government, especially the federal level: “in the last year, various Mexican government officials have come under investigation for alleged corruption and money laundering activities. The Government of Mexico took on internal corruption in 2008 and launched a ‘cleaning operation’ aimed at ending corruption inside its enforcement agencies, including the Office of the Attorney General - Special Unit for Organized Crime (PGR-SIEDO), the Secretariat for Public Security (SPP), the Federal Preventive Police (PFP), and the Federal Investigative Agency (AFI). In November 2008, PGR agents apprehended the former Deputy Attorney General of SIEDO. To date, eight enforcement agents from PFP and PGR have been apprehended and accused of leaking confidential informati Long message truncated by MailBucket.]]> 2 Mar 2009 01:52:54 -0000 http://www.mailbucket.org/mexicosolidarity-12342059.html http://www.mailbucket.org/mexicosolidarity-12160975.html Mexico Solidarity Network Red de Solidaridad con Mexico MEXICO SOLIDARITY NETWORK WEEKLY NEWS AND ANALYSIS FEBRUARY 16-22, 2009 1. Senate modifies electoral reform to suit media giants 2. Cartels coordinate demonstrations against army 3. No change in immigration policy 4. MSN PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS (Contact MSN@MexicoSolidarity.org [1]) 1. Senate modifies electoral reform to suit media giants The Senate modified last year’s electoral reform this week in a quick response to demands by Mexico’s television duopoly. TV Azteca and Televisa pushed for changes in the law that would remove the Federal Electoral Institute (IFE) from fining media outlets for illegal political advertising.  The IFE will be limited to “notifying” the Secretary of Communication and Transportation (SCT) of irregular or illegal advertising.  The fast track legislation came on the heals of a protest by Mexico’s two major television networks in which they interrupted  nationally televised soccer games, the Super Bowl, and children’s programming to run up to six minute blocks of constitutionally mandated political ads.  Normally, the stations run political announcements during regular commercial breaks, but in this case they coordinated their protest by running the ads simultaneously in the middle of scheduled programming, citing the IFE mandate as the reason for the interruption.  The new law also allows media corporations to seek protective injunctions in federal courts, which could all but disable the IFE’s ability to control political advertising during campaign seasons.  Protective injunctions are often part of long, drawn-out legal strategies that can prolong cases for years.  Currently radio and television outlets are required to broadcast 48 minutes per day of free political ads during election seasons. 2. Cartels coordinate demonstrations against army A series of apparently coordinated demonstrations on Tuesday in Nuevo Leon, Chihuahua, Tamaulipas and Veracuz blocked highways, international bridges and toll booths.  Demonstrators called for removing the army from street patrols and drug enforcement activities.  Drug cartels were reportedly behind the demonstrations, offering $1,000 pesos for mothers with children and $500 pesos for young people, plus transportation to the demonstrations.  The Left in Mexico has been divided over the demonstrations.  The army has clearly been responsible for serious human rights violations that include home searches without warrants, beatings, robberies and several murders of innocent civilians, and there is general recognition that many police and government officials are on the cartel payrolls.  In this context, many on the Left also call for removal of the army from internal policing activities, but without supporting the drug cartels.  Many on the Left are afraid to speak publicly about the cartels, but those who take a position call for no cartel influence in the State, the police or the street.  The so-called “narco-protests” allow the State to criminalize all anti-State protests and enforce draconian laws that will be applied more against legitimate social movements than against cartels, who in any case own much of the State apparatus, especially at the local level in the border region. The increasingly violent war on drugs promises to be a major campaign issue in this summer’s elections.  The PRI and PRD are staking out positions highly critical of the Calderon administration’s ineffective strategies.  Former President Ernesto Zedillo of the PRI went so far as to call for legalization of marijuana this week, while the PRD has been critical of army troops patrolling streets in at least eleven states.  PAN President German Martinez accused the PRI, which is expected to do well in the mid-term elections, of “giving up” in the war against organized crime.  And Secretary of the Economy Gerardo Ruiz announced in Paris that the next president of Mexico could be “a narcotics trafficker” if Felipe Calderon had not begun actions against the cartels.  Expect a campaign that pits fascist-like enforcement measures promoted by the PAN against calls for “more effective strategies” and respect for human rights by the PRD and PRI, while hundreds, perhaps thousands, of officials from all three parties remain on the cartel payrolls. 3. No change in immigration policy Immigrants expect little change in immigration policy under an Obama administration.  With newly appointed Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano at the helm, a continuation of the Bush administration’s draconian enforcement measures at the US-Mexico border will result in at least ten migrant deaths per week.  With Mexico’s economy in a free-fall and unemployment reaching record levels, many migrants find little option but to attempt the dangerous journey to the North.  And undocumented workers already in the US are poised for new roundups and workplace enforcement measure Long message truncated by MailBucket.]]> 23 Feb 2009 01:38:49 -0000 http://www.mailbucket.org/mexicosolidarity-12160975.html