The 9th Cuba-Mexico Inter-Parliamentary Conference concluded recently in Havana, providing an opportunity to strengthen bilateral relations. According to press reports, the meetings were attended by senators and deputies from all parties represented in the Mexican Congress and a deputy delegation from the Cuban Peoples’ Power National Assembly. Delegates hoped to review positions prior to international […]
President Felipe Calderon criticized the U.S. Senate's failure to pass the Bush-backed immigration bill, saying that the lack of reform “worsens illegal immigration.” An El Universal editorial stated, “It's obvious that the politicians in (the U.S.) want laborers, but they are not willing to legalize the labor that they need,” and thus, “migrants will continue […]
A recent LA Times article examines the alleged judicial activism of the Mexican Supreme Court, which has recently created a committee to investigate the political violence in Oaxaca. The Court made news earlier this month for overturning the anti-competitive “Televisa Law,” impacting Mexico's two leading media conglomerates. Next on the docket is the eagerly-anticipated case […]
Alan Greenspan, former Chairman of the U.S. Federal Reserve, said recently that Mexico should privatize its oil industry to raise production through increased capacity for exploration. Greenspan stated that Mexico's declining oil production could lead to a major fiscal crisis in the country. Mexico is the world's 9th largest exporter of crude oil and a […]
Often referred to as “banking for the poor,” microcredit programs provide collateral-free small loans to those too poor to qualify for traditional bank loans. Originating in developing countries, microcredit has provided a successful model for enabling impoverished individuals to engage in self-employment projects to generate income. It is part of the larger microfinance movement, and often […]
Mexico City's Palacio de Bellas Artes museum is hosting a 2-month exhibition of artist Frida Kahlo's work, marking 100 years since her birth. Kahlo (1907-1954) was born in Mexico City and has been recognized as an intellectual and social activist. As a painter, she depicted Mexico's indigenous culture in a style combining realism, symbolism, and surrealism. […]
Le Figaro published an interview with President Felipe Calderon, in which he discusses relations with the U.S., Cuba, and Venezuela. On Cuba, he said, “It is inconceivable that the Cubans would opt for a market economy if the outside world continues to block opportunities for trade and investment.” Calderon also addresses climate change, saying that […]
Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, who lost a highly contentious presidential election to Felipe Calderon last year, toured the southern state of Chiapas recently to advocate for transparent local elections. Obrador claimed that the buying of votes, mainly in the indigenous communities, is the main obstacle preventing democratic reform in the country. Obrador, the candidate of the Party […]
The Supreme Court of Mexico struck down the national “Televisa law,” which was enacted last year to give away bandwidth for television, Internet, and telephone services exclusively to two media giants, Televisa and TV Azteca, without bids or compensation to the government. Lawmakers will now have to re-draft the law to allow competition. In making the ruling, […]
Mexican President Felipe Calderon kicked off a five-nation tour of Europe this week, hoping to promote trade relations, increase investment in Mexico, and boost European tourism to Mexico. Calderon began his trip in Rome, where he met with Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi. Calderon was scheduled to meet with 400 Italian business executives in Milan […]
The UBS Art Gallery in New York City is hosting an exhibition to highlight the life and art of Mariana Yampolsky, an American-born artist whose work celebrates Mexico's culture, history, and landscape. “Embracing Mexico: Mariana Yampolsky, Life and Art,” is featured in the Gallery until August 3rd. Yampolsky (1925-2002), who was born in Chicago, went to Mexico in 1944 […]
Mexico's National Human Rights Commission, an independent government council investigating the 2006 unrest in Oaxaca, recently concluded that the federal government should have intervened sooner after state authorities were overwhelmed. The commission also said that hundreds of human rights complaints it received from the uprising were credible, and the 12 people killed in the clashes were mostly protesters […]
As highlighted recently in the newspapers El Financiero and Milenio.com, new studies show that community forest management in Mexico has reduced poverty and social inequity while conserving natural resources. Over 2,300 forest communities in Mexico have been given “forest use permission,” resulting not only in effective conservation, but also in economic growth within the communities. […]
Facing threats from drug gangs along with two grenade attacks, the Mexican newspaper Cambio Sonora, announced that it will shut down temporarily. Located in the border state of Sonora, the newspaper had already halted most of its investigations into drug trafficking and organized crime. Newspaper officials said the attacks were designed to intimidate the staff […]
The U.S.-proposed border fence along the Mexican border is facing opposition not only from immigrant rights groups, but also from some environmental organizations. Claiming that hundreds of miles of border fences will keep many animals from the Rio Grande River, their only source of water, wildlife experts fear that some land animals will be killed […]