Clearinghouse

It's an interesting week in Oaxaca. Here's a quick look at what's going on.

- Statewide elections will be held this Sunday, August 5, and quite a lot of attention is focused on whether the PRI will remain in power. The PRI, for its part, is working hard to attract a new voting demographic, as far as I can tell. All five of the candidates campaigning for deputy positions in the state of Oaxaca are women. Take that for whatever it's worth.

I think it's great that elections here are held on the weekend, when working people have time to vote, though I'm frankly surprised they'll be held on Sunday, not Saturday. I'm sure this isn't for nothing. Probably buses don't run as often or the PRI knows full well that Catholics may opt not to vote on the Sabbath. This is mere speculation on my part, and as yet I've done no research to support my theories. On a side note I learned today that the sale of alcohol is prohibited citywide (and presumably throughout the state) on an election weekend. I get the impression that that's not a very enforceable law, because there are at least three small tiendas on every block here and they all sell liquor. Still, though, that's bound to put a dent in the weekend profits in the touristy places. (Perhaps there's a waiver for these. After all, tourists can't vote in these elections.)

- In a follow up to an earlier post, the Houston Chronicle reports that Governor Ulises Ruiz did indeed meet with Irene Khan, Secretary General of Amnesty International. Ms. Khan presented a report Tuesday pressuring the government of Oaxaca and the federal government of Mexico to investigate human rights violations related to political unrest in Oaxaca over the past 14 months. According to the Houston Chronicle, the governor's response went like this:

Ruiz, who met with Khan on Tuesday, rejected Amnesty's report as one-sided.

"We don't agree with the report and we told them that we believe those who wrote it are advisers for the APPO," he said.

There you have it. Also on the topic of human rights abuses, the Interamerican Commission on Human Rights announced today that representatives will be in Mexico City and Oaxaca next week. The group plans to investigate, if I read the Spanish correctly, the overall state of affairs concerning human rights issues in Oaxaca at this moment.

- A small explosion took place on Wednesday in the entryway of a Sears store in Oaxaca's Commercial District. The rebel group EPR (People's Revolutionary Army, in English), claimed responsibility. There were no injuries resulting from the blast. Apparently another device was discovered at a Banamex bank branch in the Colonia Reforma neighborhood, northeast of the city center. This was defused and disposed of without incident. I don't know very much about the EPR , but according to a friend here the group has been agitating for several years for the release of political prisoners. He assumes the bombing and attempted bombing were meant to increase pressure on the government as the August 5 elections draw near. It is my distinct impression that, while related to the oppressive regime of Governor Ulises Ruiz, these actions stand separate from the protests and public outcry witnessed here the past 14 months.

That's about it from here right now. I'm coming up a little short on diversity as I continue to read and learn more about Oaxaca, and I feel like I keep tapping the same sources again and again as I try to verify information for my posts. If anybody has tips on good news sources, blogs or .orgs relating to Oaxaca, please post a comment or send a note to mattplav@gmail.com. Thanks.