MEXICO

RENEE DOWNING, “Tucson Weekly” columnist, May 2, 2005
CZIKOWSKY: Is there anything we can do to improve the Mexican economy, especially in oil exploration, and then seeing that the profits are better shared with the population, so that Mexicans can improve their lives, or perhaps part of our profit share could be used towards immigrant programs?
DOWNING: I read recently that the oil industry has been a disaster for every third world country that’s developed it. It employs very few people and the money from it flows to the rich people who invested in it to begin with. And they never seem to want to share. The ruling class of Mexico is extremely corrupt and arrogant, and about as likely to share the wealth with their poor as the Iraqis or the Libyans.

JIM KOLBE, Member of Congress, October 15, 2002
CZIKOWSKY: Mexico is an oil producing nation. Yet, many of its people live in poverty. Should the United States be actively assisting Mexico, both in increasing oil production, and in helping its citizens improve their lives?
KOLBE: Mexico’s problem is two fold. They have a highly inefficient, patronage laden, corrupt oil producing national company---Pemex. While the number of workers have been reduced in the last few years, it is still a very inefficient operation. More importantly, their Constitution prohibits any foreign investment in oil production. Therefore, there is little way for foreign companies to get involved in improving their efficiency.

CAROLS dE ICAZA, Ambassador of Mexico to the United States, January 12, 2005
CZIKOWSKY: Mexico has a relatively less wealthy economy, which is why Mexican employees go to the United States for higher wages. At the same time, Mexico is rich in resources such as oil and agriculture, many of which are supported by American investments. If we in America could provide greater investment in Mexico under a condition that employees are paid more decent wages, and if we could assist in the expansion of the Mexican economy, especially in oil (rather than buying so much from the Middle East), both countries gain. What is preventing this from happening?
DE ICAZA: That is not happening because we do not have an institutionalized dialogue on immigration issues between our countries. Until there is a comprehensive reform in the U.S., it will be very difficult to have an objective debate on this important issue.

JORGE DE LOS SANTOS, adviser to Presidential candidate Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, June 26, 2006
CZIKOWSKY: To what degree is voter fraud a problem in Mexico, and what is being done about it?
DE LOS SANTOS: According to a recent article in the Washington Post, the PAN and PRI in particular are using coercive tactics in this election. The PRD was shown to be the least, if at all coercive. The study was conducted primarily by Alianza Civica, a nonpartisan citizens’ group that receives financial support from the United Nations. We are formally protesting these tactics with the Mexican Institute for Federal Elections.

ARMANDO DAVID, Tu Rock Es Votar Co-Founder, June 29, 2006
CZIKOWSKY: What has been voter participation among young people in recent Mexican elections? Has there been any trend, i.e. Mexican youth becoming more (or less) interested in politics?
DAVID: 30% of young voters voted last election. We represent 45% of total voters: 35 million…and only 30% voted. That is terrible.