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Energy
Mexican Crude Oil Hits Historic Record USD 100.30 Per Barrel
May 7, 2008
Mexican crude oil was sold at USD 100.30 a barrel and reached a price above USD 100 for the first time in history. Nevertheless, the Mexican mix closed at USD 99.60 per barrel, and the reference West Texas Intermediate (WTI) closed at USD 119.97 per barrel. A Goldman Sachs prediction that oil prices could rise to between USD 150 and USD 200 within two years seemed to have motivated much of the buying, although a falling dollar and increasing concerns about declining crude-oil production in Mexico and Russia could have contributed as well.
SENER: Mexico To Face "Severe Energy Crisis" Without Oil Sector Reform
May 8, 2008
Energy Minister Georgina Kessel said Mexico will suffer a "severe energy crisis" within a decade unless reforms are made to the oil sector. Kessel and Pemex's CEO Jesus Reyes Heroles urged legislators to pass the reform proposal submitted by President Calderon last month. Pemex has been struggling to maintain production amid a lack of resources for exploration and production. Under the bill legislation proposed by Calderon, Pemex, which hands over 40% of its revenues to the government, would get some degree of relief by having more flexibility in hiring foreign and private companies to refine and transport oil. Leftist opponents of the reform bill say it is an effort to privatize Mexico's oil sector and have vowed to block it.
Pemex: Sixth Deepwater Well Turns Up Dry
May 7, 2008
Pemex suffered a setback this year with its deepwater exploration program, drilling a dry hole in 810 meters of water. The Chelem-1 well was the second dry hole of six deepwater wells Pemex has drilled in the Gulf of Mexico since 2004. Pemex hired the Ocean Voyager rig from Diamond Offshore Drilling (DO) to drill the well. In September, Pemex will take on a second deepwater rig from Noble Corp. (NE) and three more similar rigs in 2010. Pemex has said each well in waters deeper than 500 meters costs the company around USD 150 million.
Pemex To Start Refinery Upgrades In 2009
May 8, 2008
Pemex Refinacion announced plans to begin its next refinery upgrade in 2009 at Salamanca, in the state of Guanajuato, in an effort to increase gasoline production. Pemex also plans to complete next year an expansion of the Minatitlan refinery, in the state of Veracruz. Pemex also plans to upgrade the Salina Cruz and Tula refineries, in the states of Oaxaca and Hidalgo, respectively. The Energy Ministry (SENER) expects gasoline production to reach 807,000 barrels a day by 2014, up from 456,000 barrels a day at present. Mexico currently imports 40% of its gasoline, mainly from the U.S., due to a lack of domestic refining capacity. Taking into account projected demand growth, SENER said Mexico will need a new refinery every three to four years over the next two decades to completely phase out imports.
Sempra Energy's Costa Azul LNG Plant Starts Operations
May 9, 2008
San Diego-based holding company Sempra Energy announced that its liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal Energia Costa Azul (ECA) has started operations. Investment in ECA and its gas duct amounted to USD 1 billion and construction began in 2005. ECA, which is located in Ensenada, in the state of Baja California, has a capacity to produce as much as 28 billion cubic meters of LNG per day and will be formally inaugurated by President Calderon in July.
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Mining
Asarco Suing Mexican Parent Grupo Mexico For Over USD 10.5 Billion
May 12, 2008
Arizona-based mining company Asarco LLC claims its Mexican parent company Grupo Mexico (GMex) knew after acquiring Asarco in 1999 that it faced potential liabilities exceeding USD 1 billion; Asarco alleges GMex transferred one of Asarco's most valuable assets – two Peruvian mines – to GMex mining subsidiary Americas Mining Corp (AMC) to protect it from being used to pay thousands of creditors. Asarco filed for bankruptcy in August 2005 and is now seeking more than USD 10.5 billion from AMC in the form of the return of a stake it had in the lucrative Peruvian mines and the USD 1.7 billion dividends AMC collected in recent years from those mines. In his opening statement, G. Irvin Terrell, attorney for Asarco, described GMex as a greedy company that did all it could to strip Asarco of its "crown jewel," a controlling stake in Southern Peru Copper Corp.
Fresnillo Raises USD 1.8 Billion In London IPO
May 9, 2008
Mexican miner Fresnillo said it raised about USD 1.8 billion in its London initial public offering (IPO) that was priced at the bottom of the expected range. Fresnillo said it would receive gross proceeds of around USD 900 million from the sale of 82.89 million new shares. Parent firm Industrias Peñoles will receive a little less from selling 80.12 million shares. Fresnillo plans to use the money to pay down debt and to invest in its development projects.
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Trade & Investment
E.U. Designates Mexico As "Strategic Partner"
May 6, 2008
The European Union (E.U.) decided to designate Mexico a "strategic partner," a privileged relationship that the 27-member bloc has with very few countries in the world, and only with Brazil in Latin America. E.U. Commission President Jose Manuel Durao Barroso confirmed the move during his visit to Mexico before the European-Latin American summit in Lima, Peru. Mexico and the E.U. in 1997 signed a broad association accord, the first between Europe and a Latin American country, but Brazil was the first country to receive the "strategic partner" designation last year.
Economy Minister: Mexico Seeking Trade Agreement With South Korea
May 8, 2008
Economy Minister Eduardo Sojo said that Mexico's efforts to increase its trade with Asia include the negotiation of a free trade agreement (FTA) with South Korea. Noting that only 2.8% of Mexican exports go to Asia, Sojo said Mexico also hopes to push along high-level working groups with China and India to "promote agricultural exports and streamline the supply of industrial inputs." Sojo said Mexico is also pursuing agreements with Peru, Panama and the Dominican Republic, and seeks to improve and expand its existing FTAs throughout the world. Mexico has 12 FTAs covering more than 40 countries. They include the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), and trade agreements with Japan and the E.U. In 2007, Mexico's exports to South Korea were worth USD 684 million, while imports amounted to USD 12.66 billion.
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Business & Industry
Bimbo Buys 75% Of Brazil's Nutrella
May 7, 2008
Mexican breadmaker Bimbo said it bought a majority stake in Brazilian baking company Nutrella Alimentos. Bimbo, with operations in the U.S. and Latin America, bought a 75% stake in Nutrella's shares for an undisclosed price. Nutrella posted sales of USD 89 million in 2007.
Golden Dragon Copper Tube Group To Set Up USD 80 Million Plant In Mexico
May 6, 2008
Chinese precise copper tube producer Golden Dragon announced that it is setting up a USD 80 million plant in the state of Coahuila and that test production will begin by the end of 2008. The funds will be provided by Standard Chartered, Goldman Sachs and Lehman Brothers.
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Automotive
Toyota Expects Mexico Sales To Rise 10% In 2008
May 7, 2008
Japanese automaker Toyota Motor said it expects its Mexican sales to rise more than 10% this year to 73,000 units; sales during the first four months of 2008 jumped nearly 17% to 27,384 units. Toyota said it expects the opening of seven new dealerships in the remainder of this year, which would bring the total Toyota dealerships in Mexico to 64. Toyota also expects its used-car marketing program, "Comonuevos" (Like New), to sell 2,000 units this year. Comonuevos was launched in early 2007 and has increased its sales every month.
Automotive Industry Affected By Increases In Supplies' Prices
May 7, 2008
Prices of supplies for the automotive industry, such as steel, aluminum, glass, plastics and iron, among others, have increased about 74% during the past five years, mostly due to China's increased demand for the said products. Iron prices have increased 77% in Mexico, while plastic products have become 30.5% more expensive in the country. Experts say that increases in prices are not being transferred to final consumers and that autoparts producers, auto assemblers and distributors have been absorbing the higher costs in order to ensure competitive prices. Experts say the automotive industry is experiencing an important reduction in profits since automobile prices have increased by about 5.6% in five years, while the cost of producing motors, motor components and other autoparts has increased 26.8%, 21% and 33%, respectively.
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Construction & Infrastructure
Cemex Eyes Asset Sales In Europe
May 6, 2008
Mexican cement maker Cemex said it is looking to sell assets in Austria, Hungary and Britain to reduce its debt load of about USD 19 billion. Cemex, which last year paid USD 16 billion for Australian rival Rinker, is considering selling aggregate and ready-mix plants in Hungary and Austria as well as British assets, including businesses that make floors, roof tiles and rail products. The Austrian operations generated revenues of about USD 274 million in 2007, while the British and Hungarian operations generated USD 98 million and USD 84 million, respectively.
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Transportation
KCS Sues SCT, Ministry To Sanction The Firm
May 9, 2008
Communications and Transport Minister Luis Tellez announced to railroad companies Ferrocarril Mexicano (Ferromex) and U.S. Kansas City Southern (KCS) that since they could not reach an agreement on their passage rights issue he would submit an initiative to Congress that would allow the Communications and Transport Ministry (SCT) to have wider regulation faculties. Nevertheless, KCS used a complaint resource against SCT to force the Ministry to issue a regulation on passage rights before Congress can change the current regulatory framework. SCT would have to comply or be in contempt of court. In response, SCT will rebuke KCS for the second time for failing to comply with its concession after some contractual irregularities. Should KCS be rebuked a third time it could lose its concession. In addition, Tellez has acknowledged the fact that SCT needs further regulating capabilities and might proceed with its intention to submit an initiative to Congress.
Avolar Gets New Partners, Moves To Cut Costs
May 5, 2008
Mexican low-cost airline Avolar said it is bringing in new partners and has taken measures to streamline operations to offset rising fuel costs. Tijuana-based Avolar said the new partners will hold 30% of the company's shares. The changes are part of a management restructuring that includes plans to name a new chief executive and five new board members. So far, former Avolar board president Jorge Nehme sold the majority of his share in the company to businessmen Sergio Chedraui Eguia and Oliver Fernandez Mena. Avolar, which connects Tijuana with 13 other Mexican cities, said it is temporarily suspending six routes that don't yield the desired profitability. To better handle increased costs and a more competitive market, Avolar has returned two Boeing 737-200 aircraft. Avolar also said it has reduced the size of its workforce.
Mexico Inaugurates Suburban Train
May 7, 2008
President Calderon inaugurated the first-ever suburban train to connect Mexico City (DF) with its neighboring municipalities. At the inauguration ceremony, Calderon promised to build a total of 100 km of this new kind of local transportation system, connecting the capital with nearby localities and municipalities. The 27-km first phase, which runs from Buenavista in central DF to the northwestern suburb of Cuautitlan, was funded with a USD 712 million investment. Communications and Transport Minister Luis Tellez said the high speed train will help save two hours of commute as it will take only 26 minutes to complete the 27-km route.
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Telecommunications & Technology
SCT Forces Telmex To Interconnect Telefonica Unit, Company Complies
May 9, 2008
Telmex said that it will comply with an order from the Communications and Transport Ministry (SCT) to provide interconnection services to Spain's Telefonica Grupo de Telecomunicaciones Mexicanas (GTM) unit. Telmex said it would connect its network to that of GTM within the 10-day period established by SCT. Telmex had previously refused to provide interconnection service to GTM on the grounds that Telefonica's stake in the firm violates Mexico's Foreign Investment Law – which limits foreign ownership in fixed-line phone companies to 49% – and the Federal Telecommunications Law. Telefonica has said that GTM is majority owned by Mexican capital, and denies it's in violation of foreign investment laws.
America Movil, Digicel Win Panamanian Wireless Concessions
May 7, 2008
Mexican mobile operator America Movil and Jamaica-based wireless carrier Digicel won mobile telephone licenses in Panama for twin sums of USD 86 million. America Movil's Panama unit was asked by the Panamanian government to equal Digicel's offer, which it did, and was awarded a 20-year license with 30MHz in the 1900MHz radio frequency band. America Movil operates under the Claro brand in Guatemala, El Salvador, Nicaragua, and Honduras. America Movil is owned by Mexican billionaire Carlos Slim and Digicel is owned by Irish billionaire Denis O'Brien.
America Movil To Sell iPhone Across Latin America
May 7, 2008
Mexican mobile telephony provider America Movil said it has signed an agreement with Apple Inc. to sell the iPhone across Latin America this year; a deal that could extend its lead in the region over Spain's Telefonica. America Movil, which operates in 16 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean as well as in the U.S., did not disclose financial details nor said if it was an exclusive accord. The iPhone is a touch-screen device combining Apple's popular iPod music player, a video player and a Web browser. America Movil, controlled by billionaire Carlos Slim, had more than 159 million cell phone subscribers at the end of March.
Ericsson Wins Managed Services Deal In Mexico
May 8, 2008
Swedish telecom equipment maker Ericsson said it had won a contract to provide field maintenance activities for more than 3,800 additional sites for Mexican mobile telephony conglomerate America Movil's subsidiary Telcel. Ericsson said it will expand its existing managed services contracts for Telcel's GSM, TDMA and transmission networks field maintenance and will increase its responsibility to all nine of Mexico's cellular regions from one region now. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Satmex Names New CEO, Seeks Protection Against IETU
May 6, 2008
Mexican satellite operator Satelites Mexicanos (Satmex) said that it has named telecommunications industry veteran Patricio Northland as its new chief executive. Satmex had been without a chief executive since Raul Cisneros stepped down last December. Northland was a founder and senior executive at telecommunications firms Americatel Corporation and FirstCom Corp., which later became AT&T Latin America. Satmex sought court protection "amparo" against the new flat corporate tax IETU since it could severely damage its already affected finances. Satmex has been unable to complete the sale of its Solidaridad II satellite to state-run firm Telecomm. Satmex operates three satellites covering most of North America and South America.
Canitec Demands Adaptations In Telecommunications Regulations
May 7, 2008
The head of the Cable Television Industry Chamber (Canitec) said that in order to achieve competitiveness in the telecommunications sector, attract more investment and new operators allowing diversity in the telecomm services, the current regulatory framework should be adapted to Mexico's present reality. Canitec said that laws should declare a company dominant according to the market share it has in a sector, rather than delegating to government institutions the responsibility of ensuring fair competition and avoiding monopolies. Canitec members recently demanded the federal government seek a reform that restructures the telecommunications sector and solves the current interconnection and tariff issues.
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Media & Entertainment
IFE Starts New Trial Against TV Azteca
May 8, 2008
The Federal Electoral Institute (IFE) started a new trial against Mexican broadcaster TV Azteca after it suspended the transmission of the monthly five-minute programs each political party was awarded by law. This is the third consecutive trial IFE has initiated against TV Azteca after the company has refused to comply with different regulations. TV Azteca will have to resume transmitting the spots unless it seeks and succeeds in obtaining temporary legal protection. But should the broadcaster fail to transmit the spots without having the said protection, it will have to pay a MXN 10.4 million fine.
Billionaire Slim Acquires Stake In Independent News & Media
May 5, 2008
Mexican billionaire Carlos Slim has acquired a 1% stake in international newspaper and communications group Independent News & Media (INM), owner of the Independent newspaper. Slim's stake-building comes amid a tussle between former Heinz chief executive Sir Anthony O'Reilly, whose family controls 28% of INM, and Irish telecoms entrepreneur Denis O'Brien, who has built up a 21% stake in the group. Analysts believe Slim could be planning to use his INM stake as a bargaining chip in a potential deal in the Caribbean mobile phone market, where O'Brien has interests through his company, Digicel.
Televisa Launches Weight-Loss Reality Show
May 6, 2008
Mexican broadcaster Televisa launched a new reality show in which overweight Mexicans will struggle to lose weight. The program dubbed "Cuanto quieres perder?" (How Much Do You Want to Lose?) starts May 18 with a competition between 14 people confined to a luxurious spa to see who can get the thinnest. The only prize the participants will receive will be getting in shape and improving their health through a rigorous diet and physical exercise. Meanwhile, consumer organization "El Poder del Consumidor" (Consumer Power) has spent the last 18 months informing Mexican public opinion that the country is suffering from an obesity epidemic, and has criticized Televisa for trying to make money out of the problem. El Poder del Consumidor has said that Televisa is a part of the obesity epidemic since it transmits an enormous amount of junk food adds.
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Economy
President Calderon, WBG President Zoellick Highlight New Strategic Partnership
May 8, 2008
At the end of World Bank Group (WBG) President Robert B. Zoellick's two-day visit to Mexico, he and President Calderon highlighted a renewed strategic partnership between Mexico and the WBG, which goes beyond traditional lending operations and expands knowledge sharing, technical assistance and innovative financial mechanisms to tackle Mexico's development challenges. Zoellick said that "the recently approved partnership strategy for Mexico addresses ways to tackle global issues such as climate change and the country's challenges of sustaining growth and competitiveness in order to increase opportunities for all." The new Country Partnership Strategy for Mexico moves to a new business model that supports the government's own national development strategy and provides advisory services tailored to country demands.
President Calderon Vows To Make Government Budget More Transparent
May 6, 2008
President Calderon announced a constitutional reform that will prevent waste in government budgets, making public expenditure more transparent and efficient and allowing citizens to know where taxes are spent. President Calderon reiterated that corruption and waste are not allowed in his government and nothing will be hidden from citizens under this constitutional reform. The reform will also boost the Chamber of Deputies' capacity of inspecting government expenditures. Calderon said the reform guarantees taxpayers that their money is being used in programs that benefit most civilians.
Food Prices Push Mexico Inflation To 3-Year High
May 8, 2008
Spiraling world food prices pushed Mexico's inflation to a three-year high in April, reinforcing expectations that the central bank (Banxico) will not cut interest rates to stave off the effect of a feared U.S. recession. Mexican consumer prices rose 4.55% in the 12 months through April, up from 4.25% in March. It was the highest annual inflation reading since May 2005, when it stood at 4.60%. Inflation across Latin America has jumped in recent months as rapidly developing economies like India and China have boosted demand for food commodities and as grains have been diverted to make biofuels.
A High Percentage Of Mexican Families Depend On Remittances
May 7, 2008
According to a study presented by the California-based Tomas Rivera Policy Institute (TRPI), 32% of Mexicans received money from family members in the U.S. at least once in the course of 2007. The report, based on a survey of 1,013 people in 10 of Mexico's 31 states, also indicates that 35% of Mexican families received remittances between three and five times last year, while 33% said they got money from relatives in the U.S. on six or more occasions. Of those surveyed, 51% said the most important consideration regarding the timing and forms of remittances was that the money be sent in the safest possible manner.
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Border & Migration
U.S. Federal Government, Texas County Finalize Deal For Border Fence, Levees
May 5, 2008
The U.S. federal government and a south Texas county have finalized an agreement to build a combination of levees and border fence, a project aimed at addressing U.S. national security concerns and local flood-control needs at the same time. The agreement calls for the federal government to pay about USD 65.7 million of the USD 113.9 million project along 22 miles of the Rio Grande. It also puts Hidalgo County's levee improvements on a fast-track to finish in less than a year. The agreement, hammered out between federal and county attorneys, includes two timelines for the project: a substantial completion date of December 30, 2008, and a full completion date of March 31, 2009.
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Politics
EPR Rejects Direct Talks With The Government
May 7, 2008
Leftist rebel group People's Revolutionary Army (EPR) dismissed a proposal by President Calderon for direct talks because it said the offer showed no willingness to solve crimes allegedly committed by current and past administrations against its members. EPR had previously said it would call a cease-fire if the government stopped investigating its members and supporters and had accepted the talks but under its own terms. However, EPR agreed to accept mediators to negotiate a cease-fire with the government. EPR is behind a series of oil pipeline blasts last year to demand the government produce alive two of its members.
President Calderon's Approval Slips In Poll
May 5, 2008
According to a survey by the Ipsos-Bimsa polling agency, the approval rating of President Calderon slipped in April from January amid a perceived deterioration in the political situation. The poll showed 62% of those surveyed approved of the job Calderon is doing, compared with 66% in January. The drop in approval is largely attributed to political events, noting the poll was taken as opposition legislators were occupying the main halls at Congress in an effort to keep a controversial energy reform proposal from being debated. The number of people who considered the country to be on the right track fell to 42% from 49% in January, while the number of respondents who had a negative view of how the country is doing rose to 30% from 24%.
PRD Celebrates 19th Anniversary Amid Internal Divisions
May 6, 2008
Leftist opposition Democratic Revolution Party (PRD) celebrated its 19th anniversary amid internal divisions and reciprocal accusations by the two most important wings of the party blaming each other for the PRD's current critical situation. The two candidates to the party's presidency celebrated the anniversary at two different Mexico City (DF) sites and blamed each other for the party's crisis. After an interim president was named for the party, an electoral tribunal ordered all of the votes to be recounted and said Jesus Ortega was the winner of the election; nevertheless, opponent Alejandro Encinas refuses to recognize him as the election winner and the matter remains unresolved.
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Justice, Safety & Crime
U.S. Starts Looking For Mexico's Support At U.N.'s Security Council
May 8, 2008
A few weeks after Latin American and Caribbean countries voted unanimously for Mexico to be the Latin American country to be awarded a permanent seat at the United Nations' (U.N.) Security Council, the U.S. is already seeking to obtain Mexico's support in an effort to prevent Iran from acquiring weapons of mass destruction (WMDs). The U.S. representative at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said that Mexico has a large responsibility in supervising that Iran does not produce nuclear weapons since such a situation could endanger peace, mostly in the Middle East. The IAEA U.S. official also said that Mexico is compelled to help prevent Iran from becoming a nuclear power since it signed the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT).
U.S. Congress Could Cut USD 150 Million To The Merida Initiative Proposal
May 8, 2008
President Calderon urged U.S. congressmen to support the Merida Initiative to fight drug trafficking and other organized crime in the region. However, a U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee bill would cut funds for the Merida Initiative to about USD 400 million, USD 150 million less than the request. The Bush administration has requested USD 500 million as part of the multiyear commitment to the Mexican government that would include about USD 204 million for the purchase of transport helicopters and surveillance aircraft. An additional USD 50 million was requested for Central American countries.
Mexican Drug Traffickers Buy Arms In U.S. Border States
May 8, 2008
U.S. federal officials said that 90% of the weapons that have been confiscated from drug traffickers in Mexico were bought in the border states of Texas, California and Arizona. According to the U.S. Attorney General's Office in Arizona, the city of Phoenix has been identified as one of the five U.S. metropolitan areas where weapons and ammunition are obtained and trafficked into Mexico. Texas is where the greatest activity with respect to arms trafficking is reported, followed by California and Arizona. Among the weapons that are entering Mexico with ever greater frequency are .38-caliber pistols, as well as Colt AR-15 and AK-47 assault rifles, the latter better known on the street as the "goat's horn" for its large and distinctively curved ammunition clip. The arrest of U.S. X Calibur Guns gun shop owner broke up a suspected firearms trafficking operation that supplied Mexican drug cartels. Agents raided and arrested George Iknadosian after undercover agents bought guns at the store indicating they were to be trafficked into Mexico. Iknadosian, 46, knowingly sold at least 650 firearms, including high-end semiautomatic pistols and assault-style rifles, to drug cartels.
Gunmen Kill Top Police Officials, Executions Exceed 100 In One Week
May 10, 2008
Hitmen working for various drug cartels have killed top police officials in different cities throughout the country. In a pre-dawn attack, three gunmen ambushed top police commander Edgar Eusebio Millan as he returned home to his Mexico City (DF) apartment complex, shooting him nine times. Two of Millan's bodyguards were wounded in the attack, while one of the assailants was captured. One day after Millan's murder, high-ranking member of the DF police department Esteban Robles Espinoza was gunned down while driving to work. Hitmen have also killed senior police officer Saul Peña who was due to be named one of Ciudad Juarez's five police commanders. Criminals also assassinated #2 police chief in Ciudad Juarez Juan Antonio Roman. In addition to the slain top policemen, over 100 people were executed last week, including law enforcers and drug cartel operatives. A few civilian casualties have also perished in the cross fire.
Sons Of Sinaloa Cartel Leader, Top Operative Killed In Gunfight
May 11, 2008
One of the sons of Joaquin "El Chapo" (Shorty) Guzman, who leads the criminal organization known as the Sinaloa cartel, has been killed in a shootout in Culiacan, in the state of Sinaloa. Edgar Guzman and Arturo Meza Cazares, the son of the cartel's key money launderer Blanca Margarita Cazares, were killed in the same shootout. The body of the 22-year-old Guzman was identified by his girlfriend, Frida Muñoz, while Cazares' body was identified by his wife. In addition, Alfonso Gutierrez Loera, 25, who is a cousin of Joaquin Guzman, was arrested in Culiacan and police seized 16 rifles, including 1 with a grenade launcher, 3 grenades, 102 ammunition clips and 3,543 rounds of various calibers of ammunition. Joaquin Guzman escaped from prison in 2001.
Thousands Protest Drug Violence In Ciudad Juarez After Police Director Killed
May 11, 2008
Thousands of white-clad people marched silently to protest a surge of drug-related violence in Ciudad Juarez, in the state of Chihuahua. The crowd of several thousand students, church leaders, businessmen and politicians walked for about four miles across Ciudad Juarez to a park near a border crossing, breaking the silence in a burst of speeches, dancing and singing. More than 200 people have been killed so far this year in Ciudad Juarez. The assassination of police director Juan Antonio Roman Garcia came despite the deployment of more than 2,500 soldiers and federal police to the city and surrounding Chihuahua.
Death Toll Rises To 17 In Attacks On Cattle Ranchers In Southern Mexico
May 5, 2008
A prominent cattle rancher hid from gunmen who killed two of his sons and kidnapped his daughter in attacks that left 17 people dead in the state of Guerrero. Men with assault rifles forced victims into a line and sprayed them with bullets at Rogaciano Alba's ranch in Petatlan. Alba, a former town mayor and president of Guerrero's cattle ranching union, was not at the ranch during the attack. Relatives said he has since gone into hiding. Police have not made any arrests or determined a motive for the attacks. Alba was investigated in 2002 for allegedly ordering the killing of Digna Ochoa, a human rights attorney who represented Zapatista guerrilla sympathizers and antilogging activists in Guerrero. Speculation also suggests that Alba may be linked to organized crime.
Massive Drug Ring Smashed At California University
May 6, 2008
Nearly 100 people were arrested in an undercover investigation of a massive drug ring at San Diego State University in Southern California that authorities said was run largely by students and was "stunning" in its size and sophistication. A total of 96 people, 75 of them students, were taken into custody on drug-related charges at the 30,000-student campus during "Operation Sudden Fall," which began one year ago with the death of a female student from a cocaine overdose. Police said raids had recovered 50 pounds (23 kg) of marijuana, 48 marijuana plants, 350 Ecstasy pills and 30 vials of hash oil, as well as cocaine, psychedelic mushrooms, methamphetamine and illicit prescription drugs.
Texas: Execution Date Set For Mexican
May 6, 2008
A Mexican-born prisoner, whose death sentence set off an international dispute and a U.S. Supreme Court rebuke of the White House, received an execution date of August 5. The prisoner, Jose E. Medellin, was sentenced to death by lethal injection for his participation in the gang rape and strangulation deaths of two teenage girls 15 years ago in Houston when they stumbled upon a gang initiation rite. The Supreme Court in March refused to hear Medellin's appeal, saying President Bush overstepped his authority by ordering Texas to reopen Medellin's case and the cases of 50 other Mexican citizens condemned for murders in the U.S. Texas refused to comply.
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Arts & Culture
King Juan Carlos Presents Journalism Prizes
May 8, 2008
Spain's King Juan Carlos presented the international journalism prizes that bear his name to professionals from Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Mexico and Spain, saying their work provided the public with "serious, rigorous and critical" information. The King and his wife, Queen Sofia, presided over the awards ceremony, which this year was celebrating its 25th edition. Mexican Raul Alejandro Estrella was awarded the prize in the photography category for a shot of a suspected criminal tied to a post in the state of Oaxaca. A Don Quijote Journalism Prize, which recognizes outstanding use of the Spanish language, went to Mexico's German Dehesa for an article published in the daily Reforma that was hailed as an example of the fusion of educated and popular language.
Mexico Wins Spanish Journalism Honors
May 8, 2008
A Mexican reporter and periodical and a Cuban journalist were among this year's recipients of an Ortega y Gasset Award for Journalism, the most prestigious prize of its kind in the Spanish language. Two of the awards handed out went to Mexican Sanjuana Martinez for her investigative reporting on pedophile priests for the newspaper La Jornada and to the Mexican magazine Zeta for its body of work struggling against a climate of impunity amid corruption and drug trafficking.
Real-Life Skull Worship Inspires New "Indiana Jones" Film
May 11, 2008
There is a legend that the ancient Maya possessed 13 crystal skulls that, when united, hold the power of saving the Earth, a tale that inspired the latest Indiana Jones movie. Experts dismiss the hundreds of existing crystal skulls as fakes that were probably made by colorful antiquities traders in the 19th century. But Mayan priests worship the skulls, even today, and real-life skull hunters still search for them. The true story of the skulls stretches over continents and hundreds of years, and may be even more extraordinary than the tale portrayed in this fourth installment of the Harrison Ford franchise. Although buyers worldwide were often told that the skulls were made by the Mayas, whose civilization peaked between 300 and 900 A.D., no such relic has ever been excavated from a documented archaeological site.
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Other
Mexico Celebrates 146th Anniversary Of Victory Over French
May 5, 2008
Mexico celebrated the 146th anniversary of its victory in the Battle of Puebla in which it defeated the French army of Napoleon III. Some historians have said the French thought that they were going to easily triumph over Mexico with a force of 5,600 soldiers but thanks to the participation of not only 3,000 Mexican army troops but also many from among the Mexican people, they were defeated. In Puebla, the central state where the battle took place, President Calderon said during a military parade that the event was "one of the greatest pages of glory in Mexican history." Meanwhile in the U.S., President Bush wished a gathering of dinner guests a "Feliz Cinco de Mayo" in his final White House celebration of the Mexican holiday.
Mariachi Bands Celebrate Culture, Mothers In Emotional Performances
May 12, 2008
Many Hispanic families consider the best way to say "Happy Mother's Day" to be singing it with a serenading, guitar-strumming band of mariachis. In North Texas, mariachi groups ran music marathons on Mother's day, traveling from homes to churches and even to a cemetery. Mother's Day was celebrated in Mexico until 3 a.m. Sunday and mariachi groups were booked solid through the day, until almost midnight.
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