Category: Mexico

Five myths in the US about drug trafficking in Mexico

Post author By Jon
Post date June 14, 2010
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Translated by Mohammad Movassaghi.

Ultimately after reading the translated version, the target audience should come away with an educated and objective view of the reality of the drug trade on the ground in Mexico relative to the spin US news media. This should help to diffuse negative and inflammatory stereotypes with regard to Mexican culture.

Source text: “Cinco mitos en Estados Unidos sobre el narco en México”.

“Five myths in the US about drug trafficking in Mexico”
By Carlos Chirinos

Mexico is in the US media almost everyday, but it is usually only about bad news: drug trafficking and the violence associated with the struggle between drug cartels and Mexican state officials.

The American public’s view seems to fluctuate between feelings that these tragic stories take place in a distant, lawless land with no connection, and the need for alarm that the violence is spreading at an accelerated pace.

Recently at the Woodrow Wilson Center’s Mexican Institute, the centre of American political studies published a paper in the Washington Post about the disinformation in the US about Mexico.

The institute’s director, Andrew Seele who is one of the author’s of the paper, told BBC how this “myth” often prevents citizens, politicians and media from understanding what happens south of the border.

Myth 1: indiscriminate violence

The paper points out that there has been an increase in drug related violence due to the struggle between cartels for control of trafficking routes in the US, the primary market for their goods.

“Violence in Mexico has regional overtones, while others are still in relative peaceful. We must recognize that overall Mexico has similar crime rates, and in some cases less than some neighboring countries”, said Steele.

Although in his investigations Steele says the majority of the victims are drug dealing gang members (there are few civilians killed in the “line of fire”, while soldiers and police account for 7% of the casualties according to the article), he recognizes that in some cities there are troubling levels of violence.

Ciudad Juarez, in the state of Juarez, for instance is frequently cited, where since 2006 more than 5000 people have died because of the war on drugs.

Myth 2: A lost cause

Studies done at the Wilson Centre cited a survey by the Mexican newspaper Goals, in which 59% of respondents believed that the cartels were winning the battle against the government. This feeling is shared by most Americans.

Nonetheless, Seele believes that this is an inaccurate view and refers to the police successes against drug traffickers, for instance the capture of Arellano Felix, head of the Tijuana cartel.

“In the long term, the Mexican government has the ability to change what is today a national security issue into a public safety issue, says Steele who notes that this would require shoring up weak justice institutions.

The authors of the study assert the urgent need to modernize and professionalize Mexican courts and police. They believe the constitutional reform of 2008 is a good starting point.

Myth 3: Corruption and drug trafficking

American citizens and figures of authority have come to view Mexican security forces with suspicion, and in the recent past they have had their reasons.

Last year, the Fiscal Investigation Agency was disbanded for alleged corruption. The head of Interpol Mexico, Prosecutor officials, regional and local police chiefs, hundreds of officers and several mayors have been arrested for association with organized crime.

Sometimes it seems like an internal battle between parts of the state. There are officials who are fighting crime and there are those who collaborate with organized crime. There are positive signs however, at least fundamental ones. Above all there are brave journalists and civic leaders who seek to hold the government accountable to the citizens according to Steele.

Nonetheless Steele recognizes “that it will be a major struggle to alter the tide of corruption in any part of the state.”

Myth 4: Mexican Problem

This is perhaps the most widespread and unfounded myth, because the drug trade is a bilateral market.

“The money that finances organized crime is courtesy of US consumerism. Weapons are for the most part imported illegally from the US. We are talking about a cyclical narcotics market ranging from south to north, and money and arms from north to south”, according to Steele.

Americans spend $60 billion on illegal drugs, and it is estimated that $39 billion of this amount is transferred out of the country and into the bank accounts of drug traffickers.

Since President Barack Obama assumed power, he and his cabinet have recognized the co-responsibility the US has in controlling the problem of having the primary target market that traffickers seek. The government has announced it will focus on programs to reduce consumption.

Myth 5: The violence comes from the south

The recent executions of three Americans associated with the consulate in Juarez reactivated the concerns of those warning that cartel violence is corrupting the border region.

Even the US media warned that the problem could be reaching remote areas of the border such as Phoenix, Arizona which has been dubbed the nation wide capital for kidnappings.

Nonetheless, El Paso, Texas has one of the lowest crime rates in the US despite being at the forefront of Juarez, which is regarded as one of the most violent places on the continent.

Andrew Seele recognizes that “there is violence associated with drug trafficking in the US, but it is a matter of local violence.

“The Mexican groups operating in the US try not to draw attention because they fear the authorities have the ability to pursue, and prosecute them.” Although imperfect in the US, there is an institutional framework that complicates the life of organized crime, and it also aspires towards to Mexico, and Mexican society.

Experts from the Woodrow Wilson centre the impression held by many citizens, and above all many congressman that Mexico is heading towards failed state status, as were considered Afghanistan and Somalia. This is perhaps the myth most feared by Americans.

Mexico politics

Mexico: Politics, Laws, Institutions, and Economy

Post author By Jon
Post date May 1, 2010
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Translated by Justine Second

I chose to combine my Spanish-English translation project with my international marketing group project which is to launch frozen bread in Mexico. The original data we collected comes from the website of the Spanish “Oficinas de comercio”, an organization to help companies to invest abroad and that belongs to the Spanish “Ministerio de industria, turismo y comercio”. This information is consequently in Spanish, however not all the members of the group understand Spanish. So, we needed a translation into English for them to use the data and build the marketing strategy.

Source texts: ICEX México Marco político ICEX México Marco legal, ICEX México Marco institucional, ICEX México coyuntura político-económica.

Mexico: political environment

The “Constitución Política” (Political Constitution) of the “Estados Unidos Mexicanos” (United Mexican States) dated February 5th, 1917, sets up Mexico as a Representative, Democratic and Federal Republic composed of 31 States and of one “Distrito Federal” (Federal District). All of the states are united in a Federation, but are free and sovereign within their internal regime.

The legislative power lies in the “Congreso de la Unión” (the National Congress) made up of the “Cámara de Diputados” (the Chamber of Deputies) (www.camaradediputados.gob.mx) and the “Senado” (the Senate) (www.senado.gob.mx). The Chamber of Deputies is composed of 500 members, 300 of which are elected by relative majority and 200 by proportional representation system. The latter uses the system of regional lists in 5 plurinominal voting districts of 40 seats each, renewed every three years. On the other hand, the Senate is composed of 128 senators. 96 are elected by relative majority and the other 32 are elected every six years according to the proportional representation principle, through the regional lists in only one national plurinominal voting districts.

The three major parties of in Mexican politics are the “Partido Revolucionario Institucional” (PRI), the “Partido de Acción Nacional” (PAN) and the “Partido de la Revolución Democrática” (PRD).
The executive power lies in the President of the Republic and in his cabinet. Felipe Calderón Hinojosa has been the President of the United Mexican States since December 2006 and his term of office is from 2006 to 2012. Calderón is the second president from the “Partido de Acción Nacional (PAN)” after his predecessor, Vicente Fox (2000-2006), put an end to 70 years of hegemony of the PRI (Partido Revolucionario Institucional). Calderón’s term of office began with high tensions, as the candidate from the “Partido de la Revolución Democrática –PRD”, Andrés Manuel López Obrador (dubbed AMLO), leader of the leftist coalition, did not recognize the election results of July 2nd, 2006. These elections were the most disputed of Mexico’s recent history. However, during his first year of government, Calderón managed to both diminish some political tensions and also to facilitate some necessary consensus in the National Congress in order to approve the most relevant reforms. Some of the approved reforms of 2007 include: the reform of pensions for the “Trabajadores del Estado” the changes in the electoral area, the fiscal reform which created new taxes and gave more autonomy and budget to the “PEMEX” ( Petróleos Mexicanos, a major Mexican oil company). In 2008 a more complex energy reform was approved, however it is a partial reform due to its limitation of only the hydrocarbon sector.

On July 5th, 2009 the latest significant electoral meetings were held, responsible for intermediate federal elections for the change of the Chamber of Deputies (every three years) and the “gobernaturas” in six States (Colima, Campeche, Nuevo León, San Luis Potosí, Sonora and
Querétaro).

The Partido de la Revolución Institucional (PRI) largely won these elections with 36% of the votes,
which enabled it to obtain 237 “diputados” (Members of Parliament) compared with 106 in the last period of office. Since then it has become the major political group in the Chamber. The current party in power, Acción Nacional (PAN), which obtained 27% of the votes, is no longer in the majority in the Chamber as it went down from 206 Members of Parliament to 143. The third main party in the Congress is the “Partido por la Revolución Democrática (PRD)” which has 71 Members of Parliament (nearly 12.2% of the votes) compared to 127 in the previous period of office.

As far as the elections for each States are concerned, the PRI obtained the ruling position in five of six States where they were held. It is the PAN that obtained the control of Sonora.

To learn more, here are the links to the “directorio de los Estados en México” (directory of the useful links to the various Mexican States) and to the website of the Republic Presidency where you can find information about the different branches of the Government: http://www.directorio.com.mx/estados/, http://www.presidencia.gob.mx/

Mexico: legal environment

In the past few years, many barriers barring foreign investment have been abolished in Mexico. A
new set of rules was promulgated to oversee this area.

The “Ley de Inversión Extranjera” (LIE) (Law about Foreign Investment) signed on December 27th,
1993 and its “Reglamento” (Regulation) dated September 8th, 1998 set up the current rules for
foreign investment in Mexico.

The organization in charge of the enforcement of the LIE is the “Comisión Nacional de Inversores
extranjeras (CNIE)” (National Commission for Foreign Investment). It belongs to the “Secretaría de Economía” (Secretary of State for Economic Affairs).

As far as the effects of the LIE are concerned, foreign investment means:

a) The participation of foreign investors in any proportion of the share capital of Mexican
companies.

b) Investment made by Mexican companies with a majority of foreign capital (for the effects of
LIE to be valid “majority in foreign capital” means when its participation is more than 49% of
the share capital), and

c) The participation of foreign investors in activities and transactions covered by LIE itself.
This law also includes activities restricted for foreigners and activities in which participation is not restricted.

You can find further information about the international and national regulatory environment for
foreign investment, administration procedures and statistics at the website listed below:
www.economia.gob.mx/normatividad empresarial/ inversión extranjera

Mexico: institutional environment

Bilateral relationships between the European Commission and Mexico were made official when the “Primer Acuerdo Marco” (First Framework Agreement) was signed in 1975. On July 1st, 2000 the “Acuerdo de Asociación Económica, Concertación Política y Cooperación” (Economic Partnership, Political Coordination and Cooperation agreement) between the European Union and Mexico established new prospects for the bilateral relationship. The ambition of political dialogue in this Agreement and the scope of the cooperation which includes 27 sectors to make it more comprehensive than the “TLCAN” (Tratado de Libre Comercio de America del Norte, that is NAFTA). The EU-Mexico Agreement has significantly improved the entry requirements for European products in the Mexican market. 48% of industrial European products are exempted from custom tariffs since the Agreement came into force and there is a one hundred per cent tax deduction since 2007. For agricultural products the schedule is delayed and the tax deduction will be total for determinate products in 2010.

Mexico: economic situation

On the economic level, the situation in Mexico became progressively worse through 2008 and 2009, as a consequence of both the global economic situation and the crisis in the U.S. Indeed, the prospects in regards to the evolution of the Mexican economy rely highly on the production activity of the U.S. In fact, the U.S. is the major purchaser of Mexican products and the first investor in Mexico. In the second term of the year, the PIB of Mexico dropped by 10.3% compared to the same period in 2008. The country then entered into a period of recession. In this context, the Mexican government is enforcing the necessary anti-cyclical economic measures including increasing public expenditure in housing and infrastructure and it is attempting to reinforce domestic demand.

culture food health Mexico

The Nopal: Tasty, Cheap, and Good for You

Post author By Jon
Post date May 1, 2010
No Comments on The Nopal: Tasty, Cheap, and Good for You

Translated by Edda Mata

I chose this article because as a Mexican I thought it was important for English speakers travelling to Mexico to understand the benefits of the nopal; an exotic vegetable, and dare them to try it on their next trip to Mexico. Unlike other consumer-oriented articles, this article’s main purpose is not so much to sell a particular branded product to the consumer, but to inform them of the health benefits of consuming a local produce.

Source text: “Nopal: sabroso, benéfico y barato”

The Nopal: Tasty, Cheap, and Good for You
Adriana Hernández Uresti

Its nutritional contributions, its qualities (true or invented) to prevent and/or control some diseases, the possibility of cooking it in different ways and even eating it raw, and its low cost (less than a peso per piece) are enough reasons for this vegetable to have earned a place on the dining table of Mexican families, who in average consume 6.36 kg per year.

The production of nopal has increased over the past decade; not only has its plantings increased, but also the states where it gets cultivated, assured Javier Montes de Oca, president of the Consejo del Nopal y Tuna (Nopal and Pickly Pear Fig Council of Mexico City). According to the farmers’ representative, a key factor in this trend is the organization of the Feria Nacional del Nopal (National Nopal Fair), where the consumption and cultivation of this thorny food is promoted.

Although it is cultivated in 23 states throughout the country, there are four states considered the main nopal producers: the Distrito Federal (303, 755 tones), Morelos (61,110), Estado de Mexico (14,464) and Aguascalientes (13,178). Out of 436, 222 tons farmed each year, 97% is consumed fresh and the other 3% is used as a primary product by food, pharmaceutics, and perfumery industries.

Its demand has also increased outside the country, and even though Mexico is the main exporter, the amount of nopal sold in other countries is still little, less than 1% of the national production. The United States is the main market followed by Japan and some European countries.

For Those With a Big Appetite:

The nopal provides a daring table companion of proteins, calcium, iron, vitamins A and B, and fibre (even though it’s a food with a high amount of humidity, its dietetic fibre content is greater than 20%). These properties can be altered depending on the way it is consumed; for example, cooking it provokes a small loss in all the nutrients, particularly in carbohydrates, potassium and vitamin C.

According to the nutritionist, Cecilia Sommer, it is advisable that people with problems such as high glucose (like diabetics) consume raw nopal, given that it controls sugar levels more effectively than in its cooked form. The specialist also warns about the risks of broiling as this cooking method may result in the nopal containing traces of this mineral such as phenolic compounds derivatives, which are harmful for the health. There are no restrictions in regards to consuming it like that, but one of the thumb rules of smart nutrition must not be: a varied and balanced diet.

In regard to dehydrated nopal (in pills or other varieties), nutritionist Sommer, commented that: “when a food is dehydrated, normally the loss of water causes the nutrients content to increase by net weight; another advantage is that it has a longer shelf life, and for many people the fact that it isn’t slimy is important, however, it is precisely in its sliminess where one is able to find a significant source of fibre. In addition, dehydrated nopal is much more expensive than the fresh one.

The Father of all Remedies

In addition to its proven benefits, there are other fictional benefits that can be added, specially those invented by charlatans, who offer this product as “the mother of all remedies,” even for diseases that up to date have no cure. For Cecilia Sommer, the biggest myth that exists about the nopal is related to diabetes; she admits that there are in fact studies that demonstrate that its consumption decreases the level of glucose in the blood, but up to date there is no evidence to consider it a cure, like many people believe.

Its high fibre content (soluble and insoluble) is the main cause of its medical benefits, as it prevents or delays the absorption of sugars. In the book El Poder Curativo del Nopal (The Healing Powers of the Nopal) by Guillermo Murrayhe mentions that it helps control the following disorders:

Obesity: The insoluble dietetic fibre absorbs water and accelerates the passing of food through the digestive tract, preventing or delaying the absorption of sugars, which provoke a sensation of satiety, through which the ingestion of food is decreased; likewise, it helps regulate the intestinal movement.

Gastrointestinal Problems: The fibre and the mucilage (the slime) control the production in excess of gastric acids and protect the gastrointestinal mucous. Also, they contribute to a good digestion, avoiding constipation problems. Cholesterol: The amino acids, the fibre and the niacin avoid that the excess of sugar in the blood turns into fat; on the other hand, they metabolize the fat and the fat acids, thus reducing the cholesterol levels.

Arteriosclerosis: The effect of the amino acids and fibre, including the antioxidants, vitamins C and A, prevent the possibilities of damage in the blood vessels’ walls, like the formation of fat platelets.

Colon Purity: Insoluble fibres help dilute the concentration of carcinogenic agents in the colon, which can help to a degree prevent the appearance of such disease.

There is no doubt that including the nopal in daily diet is very recommendable, due to its nutritional benefits as well as its medical benefits. Although it is worth mentioning that it is not a drug on its own, but an supplement to help control or prevent the problems already mentioned.

The Scientists raise their hands

The innovations in the production and procedure of the nopal are few; actually, the majority of the farmers use traditional sowing systems. Despite what has been mentioned, researchers of different centres work to improve its farming. Three examples are:

Increased resistance: Doctor Candelario Mondragón Jacobo, at the Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones Forestales Agrícolas y Precuarias (National Forest Research Institute of Agriculture and Livestock) works in genetic improvement of nopal in order to increase its protein content and make it more resistant to frost and pests; likewise he develops cactus figs of different colours from the traditional ones in order to make them more attractive. In the case of the forage nopal, he seeks to improve its nutritional content, to facilitate cattle its consumption.

Thorn Free: Engineers at the Instituto Politecnico Nacional (IPN) (National Polytechnic Institute) have designed a machine capable of cutting off 80% of the nopal’s thorns, at a velocity of four seconds per piece. This equipment could help accelerate the process of de-thorning, a task that has been qualified by farmers as slow, tiring and tedious. Engineers Guillermo Cruz Villa, Jacobo Moreno Cruz and Sigfrido Soria Farias, at the Unidad Profesional Interdisciplinaria de Ingeniería y Technologías Avanzadas (Professional Interdisciplinary Unit of Engineering and Advanced Technologies), work with farmers from Milpa Alta to develop a machine at an industrial level.

Strong Bones: The doctor Mario Enrique Rodriguez, at the Centro de Física Aplicada y Tecnología Avanzada (Department of Physics and High Technology) in the UNAM, is the head of the project “Nopal flour as a treatment to prevent osteoporosis.” It is still rather early to offer conclusions, but no one would be surprised that this product could add a new virtue to the ones we already know.

In detail

The nopal is endemic of America; there are 258 species, out of which 100 exist in Mexico, the main producer at a national level. Nopal is the name given to several species of the Oputina genre, of the cactus family. The Nopalea Cochenillifera is the species that we normally consume and the one referred to in this text.

Multiple Possibilities

Nopal mole, nopal pizza, nopales y cheese sauce, spaghetti with nopales or with cream, dirty beans with nopales, Jell-O, marmalade, ate, nopal cake, tamales with nopales and cattle brains, nopal cookies with cinnamon and a tuna salad, are only some of the 112 recipes that the Recetario del nopal de Milpa Alta, D.F. & Colima (number 48 of the collection Popular Indigenous cuisine of the General Cultures Directorate of CONACULTA). The recipes were collected among the people of the Distrito Federal, the majority producers of Milpa Alta. This culinary jewel can be found in Educal bookstores (www.librosyarte.com.mx) and in the National Museum of Popular Cultures.

Nutritional Facts

Every 100 grams of nopal contain: Energy: 27 kcal Proteins: 1.7g Fat: 0.3g Carbohydrates: 5.6g Calcium: 93 mg Iron: 1.6 mg Retinol (Vitamin A): 41 mcg Thiamin (Vitamin B1): 0.03 mg Riboflavin: (Vitamin B2): 0.06 mg Niacin: 0.3 mg Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C): 8 mg Source: Instituto Nacional de Nutrición (National Nutrition Institute).

Tips for Nopal Lovers

Pick nopals with firm thorns (a sign of their of freshness) and without brown-orange stains (a symbol of oxidation). When eating them raw, asides from washing them it is indispensable to disinfect them. Boil them with little water, and avoid overcooking them as this decreases its nutrimental benefits. Use a copper pot to cook them if you want them to keep a lively green colour. If possible, buy and consume them the same day. If you want to store them, put them in a plastic bag inside the fridge; they will preserve well for three days. Grilled nopales tend to have some white spots after a couple of days of storage; these are due to the vegetable reactions and signs of decay. Source: Nutricionist Cecilia Sommer.

business Mexico

An interview with Mexican professionals about unified communications

Post author By Jon
Post date May 1, 2010
No Comments on An interview with Mexican professionals about unified communications

Translated by Alejandra Castaneda

This translation will by no means strive to exoticize the text as the reader is not searching for better cultural understanding of Latin American business. They require a domesticated text that will make them feel as if Canadian/American business professionals wrote it. The language used in the translated text will need to cater to business standards including a professional and informative tonal register. Nevertheless, since the text was originally an audible verbal exchange of words, the tone may also be conversational and less formal than a strictly written account of ideas.

Elaine and Luis

Elaine Ferreira, Latin American President of Altitude
Luis Terra, Commercial Director of Altitude Software in Latin America

Interviewer –- Elaine, what is the future vision for unified communications?

Elaine – Well, unified communications is a topic that has been talked about a lot in the past little while. In all of the conferences we attend it is a topic of great interest for people. Truthfully, there are many companies that have yet to start using unified communications, but they have is a lot of intention to do so. Look, there are various studies that indicate this is a topic present in companies’ investment plans in the next three years. Truthfully, the main point of unified communications is the idea of mobility, which in today’s world is present in people’s the day-to-day life and also in the Contact Centers. In fact, it gives them more productivity and allows them to work and perform operations “offshore” and other sorts of operations that do not exist there.

Interviewer –- Luis, What is the impact of mobility on unified communications?

Luis – Well, with respect to mobility and in terms of unified communications the impact is very high, considering that the mobile devices today have more and more capability to place applications of high aggregate value. They also allow the end clients to have voice access over IP or other kinds of communications. Companies that own unified communication channels that are free for clients are utilizing this as a form of contact. Consequently, I would say the impact is very high. This is a very very strong tendency of the market and increases the client’s ability to be in contact with the companies and the contact centers through the mobile devices. Nevertheless, there is much discussion over traditional telephones, but the purpose of additional communication channels goes along with the idea that mobile devices are going to be able to accept various communication channels.

Interviewer –- And what are your thoughts on the adoption of unified communications in Latin America?

Elaine- I see that it is starting strong in Brazil, immediately after in Mexico and some corporations, some companies have already adapted in Colombia, in Chile, and Argentina. Last year was a little difficult on a global level, but for this year we have heard of many companies that have already included in their budget working a little more in depth on mobility and unified communication projects.

So, we hope that this year the utilization of this kind of technology is more pronounced than in the past year.

Interviewer — Luis, What developments are you hoping to see in Mexico this 2010?

Luis – Well, Mexico is a country that was also very affected by last year’s crisis. This was not only in unified communications but in general terms. This year we plan on restarting all of the growth projects that had to be halted last year. Then, in terms of room for growth there is talk of between 10 and 20 percent, I believe we will be within this range if we recommence everything that was discontinued last year, as this is the tendency that has been observed even at this event. It has been noted that many of the halted projects have been recommenced and the formation of new projects focused primarily on unified communication. What I mean to say is that whoever already has partnerships with traditional contact centers will now be looking for the movement to or adoption of unified communications.

Valeria Perez

Interviewer – According to your active work in the field of social responsibility,
which story has satisfied you the most on a personal level?

Valeria – The story that has satisfied me the most on personal level has to do with the introduction of non-traditional profiles to the labor market. Particularly, a project dealing with the introduction of labor profiles that are not commonly available. It gave me a great sense of fulfillment, the project in and of itself and its evolution. It is a very difficult project because of its inherent characteristics enabling it to manage all of the underlying aspects in the labor profile introduction. The learning I took away from this project was substantial, including the knowledge to be able to create projects of social inclusion for people with disabilities or for the elderly or for single mothers or for others that are not habitually taken into account to carry out a tasks like that of a telephone operator at a contact center. In all honesty, on a personal level this was what fulfilled me the most.