Historia del Neoliberalismo en México - Felipe Calderón (08/08/2024)

The Legacy of Violence in Mexico

Context of Violence and Political Turmoil

• México has faced profound pain due to the brutality and violence inflicted by criminals, leading to tragic losses for many families.

• Felipe Calderón's presidency is marked as one of the darkest periods in contemporary Mexican history, characterized by a squandered opportunity for democratization.

• His strategic failures in the war against drug trafficking ignited daily confrontations between law enforcement and drug cartels, resulting in widespread bloodshed across communities.

The Assumption of Power

• Calderón assumed the presidency amid significant partisan conflict and social unrest following a controversial electoral victory.

• His lack of legitimacy was symbolized by his entry into Congress through a back door during his inauguration, amidst protests from leftist factions.

Declaration of War on Drug Cartels

• To counteract his waning credibility, Calderón controversially declared war on drug cartels shortly after taking office.

• This campaign began with a military deployment aimed at dismantling the Familia Michoacana cartel but quickly escalated without effective planning or understanding of cartel power dynamics.

Escalation of Violence

• The government's strategy failed to weaken drug cartels; instead, it led to increased violence and numerous casualties among soldiers and police forces.

• Despite capturing several high-profile cartel leaders, new groups emerged, intensifying competition for control over drug routes and territories.

Critique of Strategy and Outcomes

• Calderón's approach prioritized force over intelligence-gathering efforts, neglecting underlying social issues that fuelled drug-related violence.

• By the end of his term, Mexican cartels had solidified their status as primary suppliers of drugs to the U.S., undermining initial government objectives despite international support.

Public Outcry and Notable Incidents

• Public discontent grew due to rising civilian casualties; notable cases included the kidnapping and murder of Fernando Martín which highlighted governmental ineffectiveness.

• In response to ongoing violence, poet Javier Sicilia organized mass protests demanding changes in security policy after losing his son to crime-related violence.

Analysis of Felipe Calderón's Administration and Neoliberal Reforms

The Use of Federal Forces and Political Strategy

• Calderón expressed regret over not deploying federal forces earlier to combat crime, indicating a fear-driven inaction against criminals.

• The "mano dura" (iron fist) policy was not only aimed at drug trafficking but also served to bolster the president's image and gain public trust for legislative initiatives.

Legislative Alliances and Challenges

• Calderón relied on an alliance with the PRI to overcome legislative paralysis, which had plagued previous administrations.

• This alliance allowed the PRI to regain power in local governments and strengthened their position in the 2009 midterm elections.

Legislative Achievements and Opposition

• During his term, Calderón submitted 122 bills, with 77 approved; however, many key initiatives faced rejection or significant modification due to opposition parties.

• Approved measures included strengthening the Federal Police and enhancing public security systems while tightening laws against organized crime.

Energy Sector Reforms

• A central goal of Calderón’s administration was privatizing state-owned enterprises, particularly in the energy sector—a move that previous presidents hesitated to undertake.

• In early 2008, he launched a campaign promoting foreign investment in Pemex for deep-water oil exploration, arguing that only foreign companies possessed necessary capital and technology.

Controversy Over Energy Reform Proposals

• Despite efforts, Calderón's energy reform proposal faced strong opposition from political allies who viewed it as a threat to national sovereignty.

• The PRD led protests against these reforms, significantly undermining support for Calderón’s original proposals.

Economic Policies and Their Impact

• Although energy reform faced setbacks by late 2008, changes benefiting neoliberal commitments were still passed through budget legislation.

• Throughout his presidency, Pemex's debt escalated dramatically despite attempts at reforming the energy sector.

Broader Neoliberal Agenda

• Beyond energy reforms, Calderón pushed for trade liberalization and structural reforms across various sectors including fiscal policies aimed at reducing tariffs.

• His administration introduced new taxes but failed to implement significant measures targeting poverty alleviation or local taxation on fuel products.

Labor Reforms

Labor Reforms and Their Impact in Mexico

Overview of Labor Conditions

• The government contracted another company to provide services under precarious labor conditions, resulting in low wages and minimal labor benefits for workers.

• New mechanisms were established to expedite contract terminations and limit overdue salary payments during conflicts, facilitating the replacement of experienced workers with younger ones.

Union Dynamics and Government Policies

• The reforms led to a reduction in union influence over collective decisions, discouraging workers from exercising their right to strike.

• Despite promises of increased employment and better wages, the anticipated positive effects did not materialize due to poor job creation during the administration.

Informal Economy as a Survival Mechanism

• Many Mexican workers turned to the informal economy as a survival strategy amid inadequate formal job opportunities, which has become essential for numerous marginalized families.

Political Motivations Behind Union Treatment

• Felipe Calderón's government displayed political bias against unions; he dissolved the Mexican Electricians' Union in 2009 while favoring the National Education Workers' Union led by Elba Esther Gordillo.

Pension System Reform

• A reform was enacted creating individual retirement accounts mandatory for unemployed bureaucrats but voluntary for active public servants, leading to uncertainty about future pensions.

Economic Performance Under Calderón

• Despite Calderón's campaign slogan "President of Employment," his administration faced high unemployment rates and informal work prevalence without achieving sustainable growth or meeting job creation targets.

Wage Decline and Inequality Issues

• By 2012, average wages had decreased by 45% compared to 1982 levels, contributing to increased emigration and heightened poverty levels among Mexican workers.

Political Landscape at End of Calderón’s Term

• The end of Calderón's presidency was marked by citizen distrust due to failures in combating drug-related violence and electoral fraud allegations that weakened his position.

Transition Back to PRI Power

Mexiquense: A Period of Corruption in Modern History

Political Reforms Under Felipe Calderón

• The Mexiquense period is characterized as one of the highest levels of corruption and looting in modern history. In August 2012, Felipe Calderón enacted political reforms to maintain presence post-elections.

• Key points of the reform included citizen candidacies, popular consultations, citizen initiatives, extended deadlines for public account reviews, and provisions for the Secretary of Governance to temporarily assume presidential duties in case of absolute absence.

• Despite these reforms, Calderón's government faced significant public backlash due to its drug cartel combat strategies and accusations of covering up abuses related to the ABC daycare fire incident that resulted in numerous child casualties.

Criticism and Legacy

• Public criticism also targeted the extravagant spending on the Estela de Luz monument commemorating Mexico's independence, which was delivered 16 months late and became a symbol of governmental corruption.

• After his presidency, Calderón moved to the United States for academic work. His administration left behind a legacy marked by violence over 17 years and concessions that facilitated the return of a corrupt regime that had previously ruled for 71 years.