Protesting Oil Reform in Mexico

Posted by Luis A. De Jesus R. (Mexico City, Mexico) on 3 July 2008 in People & Portrait.

As a foreigner in Mexico I've encountered all sorts of reactions that span the emotional spectrum when my nationality is revealed: from a warm welcome to open hostility. In a country as proudly nationalistic and xenophobic as Mexico this comes as no surprise to me after more than 15 years of residence in this land beautifully rich in culture and varying landscapes as well as peoples.

Yet nothing draws my attention more than the manner in which specious arguments regarding foreigners in Mexico are capitalized on by political leaders to fan ideological flames --this goes for the right and the left in Mexico.

There is strong evidence that the right is doing much to benefit outsiders with special permits granting access to the Mexican hydrocarbon industries as argued by the leftest protesters supporting losing presidential candidate Lopez Obrador. So far, investigations into these allegations have been blocked by the current administration. Though the protesters I spoke to on Sunday calling for a cessation of intentions to "privatize" Mexico's oil sector have much political fodder to feed their very real concerns, I am alarmed at how the foreigner becomes the prime suspect instead of the intentions of notoriously greedy leaders who betray their people in exchange for personal gain.

As I stood with and listened to the angry, bitter voice and words of the lady accompanied by the gentleman with the banner in the photo, I came to a realization that Mexico needs leaders who will unite instead of divide. Leaders that will be concerned with bringing true political freedom and not just increased economic growth. Men like Benito Juarez , who may have been ahead of his times, but spoke of respect for the happiness of one's neighbor if general well-being will flourish. Idealistic? Yes, but better than the current propositions than benefit some and marginalize many others.

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Comments (3)

Vink from Magagnosc, France

Excellent composition ! Bravo !

3 Jul 2008 12:24pm

Margie from Auckland, New Zealand

Very interesting shot, and even more interesting and informative commentary. Thank you Luis.

5 Jul 2008 10:26am

Damon Schreiber from Toronto, Canada

Interesting. I don't know a lot about politics in Mexico, but last time I was there was just before the election when massive Lopez Obredor demonstrations were effectively closing the central district to all traffic. It seems that the current situation resembles that of the US where the population is so polarised between two political parties, one of whom has an ultra-slim majority. And polarisation rarely leads to effective government. Here's hoping for better times as you say. And I hope 'el extranjero' doesn't become the all-purpose scapegoat.

5 Jul 2008 7:42pm

@Damon Schreiber: Interesting, indeed. That is, how the 'el extranjero' thing is not confined to a few countries. It has been used, and continues to be utilized to foster many public policies in democratic as well as autocratic regimes. Just this morning I had a chat with a leftist (Communist to be exact) sympathizer who would continue to refer to the US as imperialist and the root of all of Mexico's evils. I am of the view that any nation-state in that has held the political and economic power of the US would always seek to protect its interest even if it means influencing the domestic policies of its neighbors or enemies across the globe. I don't mean this as a defense of US foreign policy, but I simply want to emphasize that local leaders could be doing more in their own countries to make decisions and push legislation that will put the interest of their own people first. It's a question of taking responsibility and blame where it was all the time (enfeebled sociopolitical systems) instead of rabble rousing people and utilizing the usual instruments of political socialization to foster specious and skewed arguments that in the end will benefit a powerful few.

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