by the El Reportero’s news services
Rodrigo Ávila
The ruling Alianza Republicana Nacionalista (Arena) has finally appointed a candidate as running mate for Rodrigo Avila in next March’s presidential elections. It made a highly controversial choice: Arturo Zablah, a wealthy businessman and former economy minister.
Zablah is a political chameleon. He tried to run for the left-wing opposition Frente Farabundo Martí para la Liberación Nacional (FMLN) in 2004, and when that came to nothing he attempted to stitch together an anti-Arena alliance last year. He has also been fiercely critical of some of the current Arena administration’s economic policies.
Tension in Mexico over energy reform
Mexico City, Oct 27 (Prensa Latina) The Mexican political scenario its still tense today with only a few hours left for the presentation to the Senate of a bill on energy reform.
This Sunday former presidential candidate Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador called the people to protest the approval of the initiative which will decide the future of Petroleos Mexicanos (PEMEX).
The opposition leader convoked a demonstration tomorrow at the site of the lower chamber to reject the PEMEX reform because he considers that proposal hurts national sovereignty.
Many Mexican academics warned that the reform has favorable openings for transnationals of the industry.
Analyst Carlos Payan commented that there are numerous holes in the legislation, and insisted that PEMEX is on the verge of being privatized.
Chileans vote for change
In the municipal elections on 26 October Chileans voted against incumbent mayors. This was the clearest conclusion to take from the elections which are a pointer to the general elections due at the end of 2009. Over 50 percent of the country’s 345 mayors are new to the job. The anti-incumbent swing is, therefore, bad news for the left-of-centre Concertación which has ruled Chile since the return of democracy in 1990. The ruling Concertación, however, played up the fact that it still won more council seats and mayorships than the rightwing opposition Alianza por Chile, even though it actually lost 55 mayorships. The Alianza won more mayorships and controls most of the big cities.
Bolivia’s congress approves referendum on constitution
The government of President Evo Morales this week clinched a signifi cant victory after striking a deal with the opposition to approve legislation calling for a referendum on the new constitution. Morales’ agreement to ditch the article on presidential reelection was the decisive concession. While over 100 articles were amended as a result of the negotiations in congress, the revised draft constitution retains its original spirit in terms of enshrining indigenous rights, consolidating state control over key natural resources and addressing land reform. The government victory is a setback for the political opposition, Podemos, and the regional opposition prefects.
Indigenous arrive in Cali
Tens of thousands indigenous protesters arrived in Colombia’s third largest city Cali Saturday, Oct. 25. Organizing indigenous organizations expect over 50,000 protesters to be in the capital of Valle del Cauca when they speak with Colombian President Álvaro Uribe Sunday.
Bolivian President Evo Morales, one of the prominent international figures invited to join the protesters said Friday he isn’t able to come. It’s uncertain if other international invites will be able to come.
The natives hope to be joined by other groups like labor activists, truckers and cane cutters that have been demanding improved working conditions for weeks.
Indigenous leaders will meet Uribe Sunday morning to discuss their five-point proposal to improve the situation of approximately one and a half million natives in Colombia.
