Grim perspective on Mexico’s politics

“Mexico’s current political system is in turmoil,” said Aguayo Quesada, a professor at El Colegio de Mexico, as he began a discussion on the current state of Mexico’s politics.

Quesada outlined the challenges and problems Mexico faces, as well as some significant progress. Quesada was optimistic about the balance of power redistribution that Mexico’s internal government was
experiencing. He pointed out that the budget for the presidency had only increased marginally when compared to Mexico’s judicial and legislative branches. He said this was a clear indication that the
dominance that the president once held was now fading.

Quesada was critical of Mexican President Felipe Calderón’s decision to bar anyone from accessing the 2006 presidential ballots. In 2006, Calderón won the hotly contested election by a slim margin, and his
opposition accused him of voter fraud. Calderón and the PAN (Calderón’s party which is in control of Mexico’s legislature) have not truly embraced democracy yet, said Quesada.

Quesada was concerned about the growing difference in wealth distribution in Mexico. “Mexico has become a country of billionaires,” said Quesada. He pointed out that the number of billionaire families and individuals in Mexico have been decreasing for the past few decades, yet the wealth in each of those families have increased dramatically.

Quesada was also concerned about the growing power of drug cartels. His facts were startling: 40 percent of Mexico is now under control or under the influence of cartels, they compete against each other and with the government. 250,000 Mexican soldiers deserted last year, an
unknown number of them now work for cartels. Mexico has become a heavy consumer of drugs, not just a transporter to the United States, and corruption in the government is widespread. “Mexico has become a country of Mafias,” said Quesada, “no one represents citizens.”