Buenos Días!
After a week of historic chaos caused by sweeping corruption allegations, Mexico is now focused on getting students back to class (well, sort of). The Ministry of Education determined that 93% of households will be able to access courses via television. After week one, confusion seems to be (and WTF faces) the leading sentiment among students and parents.
After a video was revealed of the President’s own brother, taking part in what looks like electoral fraud, the president quickly pushed the narrative back to the endless corruption scandals of former presidents by stating that he is considering a referendum on whether or not to prosecute his predecessors.
If you have time, there were several tremendous research pieces from foreign correspondents this week that we recommend. From the army paying millions to shell companies, to Mexico’s 70,000 missing people, to the contribution of American corporations to Mexico’s drug industry.
Televised Back to School
Reuters/The Wall Street Journal/The Los Angeles Times
Yes, these are TV hosts. No, they are not teachers. Yes, AMLO had to clarify this
If you thought remote school over Zoom was difficult for both kids and parents, now imagine it on TV. Sure, there will be less yelling, “get off the internet, I’m trying to go to school!” but just how effective can it be? To be fair, the entire world is still struggling to get students back to classes. Mexico, a country where just over half of homes have internet, could not afford to get everyone online in time. However 93% of people do have at least one television (emphasis on the one).
The strategy seems to have started on the wrong foot. And not just because of its inherent flaws, but because the government has not provided the necessary basic information, leading to confusion among parents, like what channel it is on. Can students ask or contact their professors? Many are not sure. Adding to this telenovela of drama, almost 2 million students are expected to move from private education (internet classes) to public (TV classes), because families are struggling with their finances.
The biggest problem isn’t with the students who are taking the courses on TV, but rather with those who can’t attend class at all. Either because their household is part of the 7% that doesn't have a TV or because there aren’t enough TVs for all of the kids in the family - indigenous populations seem to be over represented in this group. Policy experts fear that the government’s decision might result in a rise in child labor. [Reuters/The Wall Street Journal/The Los Angeles Times]
❌ 👬 AMLO pushes threat to trigger referendum on trial for ex-presidents
Glory at last? After what seemed a successful battle against his opponents, President Lopez Obrador was tarnished with corruption allegations.
💵 👬 Journalist (and enemy #1) Carlos Loret de Mola released a video showcasing his brother receiving money from a political operative, allegedly used for the 2015 mid-term elections. Rumour has it that this brother might skip next family reunion.
The next week AMLO took back the lead and stated that he does not rule out triggering a referendum on trials for former presidents. Has he called Trump recently?
He did clarify he would vote against prosecuting his predecessors but added it was important that the Mexican people have a say. He definitely called him
He can ask for a referendum between September 1st and September 15th and if approved, it would take place either on June 6th, alongside the midterm elections, or during August 2021. [The New York Times]
🔈Did you miss out on last week's circus? Listen to the 8 minute podcast from The Economist for a recap of all the Lozoya-Odebrecht + AMLO’s brother leaky cases.
🚧 Mexican Army diverted USD156 million to shell companies between 2013 and 2019
According to AMLO, the Mexican Army is one of the most honest public institutions in the country. Might he be wrong?
According to an El Pais research piece the Army diverted USD $156 million, through the outsourcing of construction projects. Odebrecht à la militaire ?
Experts have raised concerns, as AMLO has assigned the Armed Forces HUUGE construction projects such as Mexico City's airport and part of the Mayan Train.
When asked about it at Thursday’s press conference, AMLO responded that that same morning the Army would comment on the piece - they didn’t. Ahorita, ahorita les decimos. [El País]
🏥 Mexico’s Covid-19 silver lining
The Mexican coronavirus czar, Hugo López-Gatell predicted back in June that in a "very catastrophic scenario [the death toll] could reach 60,000".
Last Saturday the country surpassed this number causing outrage from the ever outraged-opposition.
However, since early August, Mexico has reported a steady decline in the number of new cases, as well as in the demand for funeral musicians. Although a full victory is still uncertain, this are definitely celebratory news for the country with the world’s 3rd highest death toll. [The Financial Times/The New York Times]
🇲🇽Local traditions are trying to make a comeback As Covid-19 lockdown measures eases up, Mexico’s Mariachis and its iconic Lucha Libre fight to survive. As most bars remain closed, Xochimilco strives to expand into new markets. AP/Bloomberg/The New York Times
📊Mexican GDP historic fall in 2Q2020 Might be the most boring news but we still have to bring you grown-up pieces. Takeaway: Mexico is down 10.1% in the first six months of 2020, the inflation is slightly ticking up and the Central Bank said the economy could contract by almost 13% this year… now let’s move on. The Wall Street Journal
📻Companies Fight Over Control of Mexican Radio Stations Two businessmen are taking over a Mexican Radio Conglomerate and have already replaced the editorial director. Ex-president Felipe Calderon accused Lopez Obrador of backing the coup, and seeking to censor one of the company’s radio hosts: Carlos Loret de Mola (the same journalist who published the video of the President’s brother). The New York Times
💊The U.S. Narcotics Crisis Is Made in Mexico With American Raw Materials A fascinating research piece on how American companies are exploiting a loophole that’s leading to an increase in Mexican drug production. Bloomberg
⚰️Mexico’s Government Can’t Find 70,000 Missing People An icy cold reminder of our missing citizens and the importance of transparency and databases Vice News
🎻Orchestra holds virtual performance to battle domestic violence in Mexico Founded by Alondra de la Parra, Impossible Orchestra newest video has raised more than $325,000 to be donated to two foundations working to curb domestic abuse in Mexico. Reuters
🙌 How one of Mexico's largest migrant camps has avoided a COVID-19 outbreak In a city affected by cartels, with a population over 500,000 and only eight ventilators, a 1,500 migrant camp has had only 50 positive cases (3.33%), most of them asymptomatic. Find out how a NGO achieved it. Slate
✈️Airplane Gets Stuck Under Overpass on busy Mexico City Road If parallel parking gives you anxiety, don’t read this 20 second piece from The New York Times
Here are a few of our favorite tweets from top foreign correspondents in Mexico. Let us know yours by replying to this email.
Max de Haldevang, Mexico reporter for Bloomberg
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AMLO’s quote: “There are birds that pass through the swamp and don't get dirty. My feathers are like theirs. I have always walked away from slander untouched.”
A bit of context: This was the president’s answer when asked about the video where his brother counts money.Calumnia: Slander or libel.