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Jeanine Kitchel's avatar

Good one, Mike. Great quote, too! It seems she'll be carrying on the status quo. One thing that kind of gives hope (in spite of her committing to both climate AND oil...) is that she's a scientist. Maybe that's a generalization, but she should then have an academic mind regarding problems. And speaking of problems, it's the cartels, imho. Calderon's actions created more chaos and assassinations, 'hugs' not bullets, sheesh, what a cop-out. But they do have her and the nation in their own form of a lockdown. I just don't see a way out. In their faces usually ends up in blood. Usually there seems to be some under the table compromises (I was so sad to hear Fox even kowtowed--with great renumeration btw) to them in 2000. We were all so innocent b/c we thought he represented change, with PAN. Well anyway, great post, and thanks for the info - I never knew the zocalo treatment was a mandate.

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Mike Leavy's avatar

I don't know why anyone wants that job! I will give Sheinbaum the benefit of the doubt for now, I'll be cautiously optimistic given her data-driven, scientific background that she'll do more than just sit there and deny that the criminal activity going on is actually going on (as her predecessor liked to do).

Thanks for reading, Jeanine!

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Jeanine Kitchel's avatar

My pleasure, it's really good to have an overview like this. Nadine is right, you missed your calling—should been a pen-pushing journalist ): (maybe you were - in another life). I guess there always is the honeymoon period - for most politics. We'll leave the US of A stuff outa this if we want to stay sane. Write on!

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Fahim Iqbal's avatar

I remember a professor I had a few years ago talking about Calderon’s macho policy when it came to the gangs and cartels of Mexico. I definitely do not envy Scheinbaum or her administration trying to deal with them.

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Jeanine Kitchel's avatar

Oh, yes. Calderon came out swinging. Think that was 2006.

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Mexfiles's avatar

Oh, came out swinging... in getting rid of the Sinaolan Cartel's rivals, you mean. It still annoys me when I think about it, that my "mainstream" colleagues would poo-poo me when I pointed out that rivals to the Sinaloans ended up dead (no man, no problem, to quote Joe Stalin) when there were raids, and low level potential rivals to Chapo within the Sinaloan organization might be captured, but none that harmed the organization.

That, and ignoring the obvious ... I recall here Genaro Garcia Luna somehow acquiring a ritzy estate well beyond even that an ordinary decent corrupt general could afford.

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Mexfiles's avatar

Jeanie, I think the "abrazos no balazos" slogan is over-emphasized in the media. Heck, it was a "bumper sticker" kind of phrase... shorthand for the idea that social programs and better employment opportunities would lessen the temptation to turn to crime. And, for those willing to "go straight", an "abrazo" ... acceptance, rather than holding a shady past against them.

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Jeanine Kitchel's avatar

Ohhh. Understood. Did not know the underlying lingo. Thanks. And re Sinaloa et al/ the writing was on the wall.

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Esperanza Beltrán's avatar

“Hopefully her pragmatic and data-driven approach to governance - as opposed to López Obrador’s folksy, from the gut approach - will help her navigate at least some of these issues better than her predecessor could.” This gave me some hope. Thank you, we need to keep our hopes up for Mexico!

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Mike Leavy's avatar

Agreed Esperanza! Thank you for your comment, and for reading!

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Christy Brandt's avatar

I don't really understand how she is saying she will increase the oil production AND move to a more green energy policy. It is such a weird juxtaposition for a data driven, academically strong leader... seems like she is trying to do the right thing and play the politics at the same time, but so obviously a conflict going on there (unless I am missing something or the devil is in the details as it often is). :-)

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Mike Leavy's avatar

Yeah, this is mostly a political thing. Her predecessor and thus her party (which her predecessor heads) was/is quite bullish on Mexico's oil sector. She is bound by her party's ideology to show the same dedication to the oil economy, regardless of whatever her personal beliefs might be.

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Dan Keane's avatar

Subheads are a pain indeed. This gringo is here for any and all Lowry nods. Hoping, as we do every six years, that Sheinbaum can shake things up. Nice post!

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Mike Leavy's avatar

Thank you fellow Lowry-head Dan 😉! I hope she shakes things up too - some shaking is certainly needed!

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Victor D. Sandiego's avatar

A very good write up Mike. AS others have said, you should be a journalist, or maybe you are when we're not looking. Sheinbaum surely faces some challenges, and the way I figure it, she's up to them.

Also loved your subtle humor in suggesting that Trump, if elected, would somehow be restrained in his actions simply because something's illegal. Good one! Of course I shouldn't pick only on him; for anyone above a certain pay grade, law is quite elastic these days. And it tastes like chicken they say when they gobble it up and belch.

Oops, I missed the ramp and strayed into rantville. Let me find that map again, and say thanks for the update!

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Mike Leavy's avatar

"Also loved your subtle humor in suggesting that Trump, if elected, would somehow be restrained in his actions simply because something's illegal" 🤣 🤣 🤣. Thank you for reading, Victor, and for putting a smile on my face.

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Tracey Parker's avatar

I was interested to see that Pemex is one of the problems she has to deal with. Oil in mexico has always been confusing to me. I didn't know mexico had oil until I moved there. My question has always been; why is mexico poor and Saudi Arabia rich? And mexico is diversified, unlike SA. I'm sure it's a complicated answer but ive always wondered about this.

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Mike Leavy's avatar

Mexico is not as oil rich as SA, and doesn't have as many customers. I am planning on doing an article on Pemex and the Mexico oil situation in the near future...

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Michelle ML's avatar

I watched the ceremony and appreciated the inclusion of many indidgenous women in it, also. I wish her only blessings in finding new and effective ways to deal with the cartels for everyone's sake. I do think that climate and oil is an interesting way to go, and realize that small steps are the way to get to big changes. Thank you again for your interesting take on things I'm interested in.

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Mike Leavy's avatar

The oil thing is thanks to her predecessor, who was very big on growing Mexico's oil industry - it creates jobs in an industry that already knows what jobs are needed and how to train for them, so it's an easy populist "win". I am cautiously optimistic about Sheinbaum though, I think she can't help but be an improvement over her predecessor.

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Fahim Iqbal's avatar

I thought that for being a climate scientist that she would not be highlighting the continuance of oil production. Then again, given how dealing with climate change is way behind of the line compared to other issues happening around the world it’s understandable. It’s interesting that business friendly newspapers such as Bloomberg or Financial Times have praised her appointments in the economic and foreign policy roles. I guess will see what she does. Great article as usual Mike!

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Mike Leavy's avatar

Thank you, Fahim. She is going to have to navigate some complex political dramas - I do wish her well!

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Nadine's avatar

What a just, and fair write-up of this. You could be a journalist ;) I would have been more... scathing!

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Mike Leavy's avatar

lol - fair and balanced, that's what I strive for 😉. Well, not really. But I do hope she can manage to be at least a bit of an improvement over her predecessor. I mean, just a little bit? Please? Thanks for reading and commenting, Nadine!

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Nadine's avatar

Here's hoping!! 🤞

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