"How Far Left Has Latin America Moved?"

This an article about the rise of leftism in latin america by Immanuel Wallerstein. I found it interesting, maybe you will too.

The Militarization of Mexico

One of the first things I noticed upon entering Mexico was the number of soldiers and checkpoints on the countries main roads. I guess I wasn't all that surprised when I was by the border towns, but became more concerned the deeper I went into the country. The soldiers are posted on main roads under the premise of combating drug-trafficking and the drug-cartels that run rampant in Mexico, specifically in the states on Michoacan and Sinaloa. So why am I seeing checkpoints in the state of Guanajuato, Mexico and Queretaro, which are not know as heavy drug trafficking states? This last week the US congress voted on the Merida Initiative as part of the Iraqi Supplemental Bill. The Merida Initiative, also known as Plan Mexico, would give Mexico $500 million in aid to combat drug-trafficking and $50 million to Central American countries for the same purpose. Drug-trafficking violence is a HUGE problem in Mexico, with the drug-cartels brutally killing civilians, soldiers, police and each other. Up until the month of April there had been, on average, at least 3 drug-cartel related murders per day in Ciudad Juarez, since the beggining of the year. One of the cities with the highest drug-related murders in the republic. 45 mins from where I was staying, by the border of Michoacan and Guanajuato, a police officer and a woman were killed execution style in broad daylight, Mexican police chiefs have been killed left and right, with three just recently asking the US gov't for asylum. I've seen soldiers walking the streets of mexican cities with AK-47s and Uzis calmly tucked under their arms, driving in hummers and army trucks with as many as ten soldiers in the cab. Mexico is becoming a military state, and all in the name of fighting a drug war for the US. Mexico isn't known as a drug consumptive state, yes people use drugs in Mexico, but the demand isn't as great as it is in the US, hence Mexicos role as a supplier. What the Merida Initiative fails to do is attempt to curb US consumption and address the issues of need that make drug-trafficking a practical means of income. Again, I'm brought back to the disparities in wealth that exist in Mexico, in the third world and in urban areas of blight. Areas where heavy drug-trafficking exists. These same disparities in wealth, resources, education, food, opportunity, running water, etc, are what drive people to immigrating or seeing drug-dealing as a viable form of income. If these gaps in wealth were lessened, people would be less inclined to turn to drug-trafficking for the sake of survival. I believe that if people are given the option to make a positive choice, that most of the time, they will make that choice. If people are given positive resources and opportunities, they will take them. We live in a society that creates situations of need, a society that creates negative opportunities with high-risk as a last resort for survival: drug trafficking, immigration, prostitution, human-trafficking, etc. Then we wonder why people act the way they do. Necessity. What the Merida Initiative will accomplish is to further militarize Mexico. The Mexican army, along with the Mexican Police force, is known as being one of the most corrupt, brutal organizations in the world. Their behavior is evident in the militarys handling of the massacre of Zapatistas at San Salvador Atenco and of the Oaxacan teachers strike in Oaxaca, the latter which ended the life of american journalist Brad Will. As for the police, just ask any tourist or Mexican native. Even tour guide books like Let's Go and Lonely Planet bluntly advice NOT asking police for help in Mexico, unless it is a complete neccesity. Another effect of the Merida Initative will be its aid in curbing political dissent in Mexico. Militarized states aren't conducive to protests or civil disobedience. It is in the United States best interest to help keep Mexico "stable." Keeping Mexico stable was the main reason why the US gov't intervened in Nicaragua. If Nicaragua could successfully create a populous gov't through revolution, what was to stop Mexico? A country with comparable levels of poverty. Examples need to be made. So again, how is the Merida Initiative good for Mexico? It's not. What is good for Mexico and humanity is upholding systems that eliminate extreme poverty and need. It can happen.


book: Here's to you, Jesusa!-Elena Poniatowska

drained.

i might be coming home soon. i´ve been literally sick about every other week i've been here. two colds, one stomach flu, typhoid and amebiasis, all in 8-10 weeks. after finally getting over typhoid, i went to mexico city for a week and left with a sore throat and in coldsweats. at this point it´s financially difficult for me to remain in mexico, physically draining and mentally exhausting. i`ve been trying to stay positive and take it all with stride, but becoming ill again has broken my spirits once again. money i could use on travelling i´m using for medicines and doctors visits, time i could use for travelling is spent laying in bed, mental energy that could be used to reflect is wasted thinking about if i should remain in mexico or leave. i´m thinking of returning to the states for a few months and trying again, but don´t know if it`s wiser to stay put. i´m torn. frustrated. things don`t always go as planned, that's a given, the only thing i can do is try to make the best decision possible. i do know that there`s a saying in mexico that goes: ni afuerzas los zapatos entran. you can´t even force shoes to fit.

sick again

mexico has it in for me. mexico citys pollution made me sick, i now have pharyngitis. this is getting a little out of hand.

shaking in my seat, in mexico.

The last few weeks have been rough, really rough. It's one thing to come down with a cold and be away from home, but another to get typhoid and not have a familiar face. I think that's enough to make anyone homesick. There was a point when I felt it was in my best interest to return home, and honestly, I was one click away from buying my ticket. I was stressing about about the money I had spent on doctors visits, on the medicines, the hospitals. Stressing about my stomach constantly being upset, the incessant fevers, being bed ridden and taking 12 medicines in the span of two weeks. It's been a week since I've stopped taking medicines and I think it's safe to say the typhoid is gone. I still have a lingering fear of eating, but my other choice is starving or going home, none of which I feel like doing. I've decided to continue my stay in Mexico, there are still many things I would love to see and learn. I'm seeing muchos Mexicos everyday, every single one worlds away from the other. I'm thankful that my parents taught me spanish, though when I think about it, I don't think they really had much of a choice, they only spoke spanish. Regardless, they instilled in me an appreciation for the language, for their culture. This has allowed me to communicate with people that I may not have been able to otherwise, to put myself in situtations that might be difficult for others. I'm currently in Mexico City and am completely amazed by it. 19.2 million people crammed in a valley. I had a brief conversation last night with some street vendors who make their living making posable dolls from pipe cleaners, each doll runs about 10 pesos each. We talked about what I inevitably end up talking about: Immigration. This lady has an uncle that left 30 years ago, and she's only seen him once since. "Immigration destroys families," she says. That seems to be the running theme around here. I want to meet more people like her, people who know people who have left and people who haven't had to leave. I want to understand all of this more. I think I have every opportunity to, I just need to hang in there.

May day, May day.

What a terrible two weeks it has been. It all started with a cold, nothing too serious. Sore throat, runny nose, a little bit of sneezing. I was prescribed a penicillin that I quickly became resistant to, so the doctor decided that I should get a few shots of a stronger antibiotic. That cured my cold, the sore throat and the runny nose, but I remained with a mild fever and a general feeling of malaise. Telling a doctor that you have a general feeling of malaise and a mild fever is pretty vague and will get you questioning looks. The answer? A stronger antibiotic. That did nothing. Three days later and my fever got worst and so did the malaise. It was finally suggested that I be given a blood and stool test. Americans tend to get either typhoid or amebiasis after about a month or two of being in the country. Lucky for me, I got them both at the same time. I was prescribed two more antibiotics. Cipro for the typhoid and metronidazole for the amebiasis. The metronidazole made me sick after 4 days of taking it, so after a sleepless night an almost panic attack, I decided to call my doctor in the morning. One of the side-effects of metronidazole is anxiety, it can have effects similar to those of a stimulant. My blood pressure is now on average about 130-90, the highest was 150-100. That's insanely high for a 26 year old male. I wish Mexico wasn't trying to kill me. I'd really like to stay here, but not at the risk of my health.