Wednesday, November 30, 2005

The Z in Piedras Negras

I spent some days in Piedras Negras, Mexico, border town with Eagle Pass, Texas. And something have called my attention, the amount of Z in orange color in some cars and trucks. I've been told that this is done for people that support the narco group the Zetas.


This group has been achieving importance and power in northern Mexico, and for example in Piedras Negras, since 2003 it took control, when the last local narco, Mr. Rubio was assassinated.


For many locals, that usually tolerates the narcos, the arrival of the Zetas has not been nothing beneficial, on the contrary, it has harmed enormously the local economy. It apparently seems, the old narcos, those from town, spent big amounts of money in the city, thus causing economical activity in many sectors, let's think about a celebration: banquets, cleaning, music, service, security, etc.


The Zetas, who not come from this border city, does not spend any important amount of money, for sure, they take it to their own communities.


Nevertheless, many people prefer to put themselves of their side, because it tells a local urban legend, if you dont' do so, you could suffer from firegun shootings, robbery of cars or kidnapping of girls. So better to put a Z.

Thursday, November 03, 2005

Politics in Mexico

Next year we'll have elections for the Presidency. And since last year, at least, all medias are just talking about that. Its been crazy. As now political parties don't only have their candidates... now they have pre-candidates! Bizare isn't?

Well, the PRI (which governed Mx for more than 70 years) have two candidates, one the chairman of the board, and other one, a low profile guy, which until now can see his name on a newspaper. His life has turn 180° in less than a month, now he can say he's out of low-profilers.Journalists here says he doesn't have even one shot to get the candidate title. And so I think.

But well, the only good thing, is that before this guy appeared, the PRI had a small change to get back to the Presidency, but now, after a few scandals, I think people realise that this party has nothing to offer to us, the people of Mexico.