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[ls650]

You might want to read this first...
http://www.mexiconews.com.mx/20695.html

There's a very small naval base here in Huatulco near Playa La Entrega. Normally you don't really notice much military presence around except for the occasional person in uniform in town. On Saturday, as I walked around town doing my usual shopping and chores here in Huatulco, I noticed a lot of military activity. There were several flatbeds and semi-trailers in town carrying armored personnel carriers and other military vehicles. All weekend there were a lot of military and armored vehicles driving around town.

On Sunday afternoon I was sitting in my house when I heard a rumble in the distance and my apartment started to shake. At first I thought it was an earthquake but after a few seconds I heard the neighborhood kids making a commotion outside. When I looked outside it looked like a scene from "Apocalypse Now": about a dozen helicopters were flying in formation over the town. They made a couple of loops at low altitude; I have to say it was quite a spectacle.

This morning I read the article above. "Routine supply runs," my arse. Maybe the military are just having some kind of war games exercise, and thought it would make a show of force by flying over Oaxaca City. Maybe - but it wouldn't surprise me at all if we see 'something' happen in the next few days with the military in Oaxaca.

[Guy Courchesne]

It certainly does look like things are coing to a head. 'Military exercises' are a convenient excuse.

Still, given the potential for serious problems in Oaxaca, the Fed has to show that ultimately, they are in control of things. It would be better if they displayed a beefed up force of police and not the military though. Seems heavy-handed.

Unless they're filming a movie out there? Bad timing if so...

[delacosta]

We also had a few choppers flying over Zipolite, low over the beach. Out for a quick flesh gawk I imagine, although there's hardly a soul around. It is the low season but I've never seen it this dead.

As for Oaxaca nothing will happen till after Wednesday when the big meeting takes place between the SG, APPO, the teachers and supposedly there will be more representatives from various Oaxacan sectors.

The troop movements and choppers are only to intimidate. It is a clear signal being sent from the federal government to the APPO: negoiotiate or pay the consequences.
Today is the anniversary of the massacre of student protestors in Tlatenco in 1968 so it would be too imprudent to initiate another one on or near this date.

[Guy Courchesne]

We live in a different world and a different Mexico from that of the 60's or even the 70's, 80's, and 90's. The Fed, like you say, is bringing a show of force to the table. There is no way that it will get as bloody as when the world was a larger place and where you could more easily cover up such things.

Hey, a benefit in globablization! My interets are now your interests, and vice versa, says the world.

[delacosta]

And this just in: http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/notas/378693.html

For non-Spanish speakers: this morning three banks were assaulted by a group declaring themselves ready for war against Ruiz and the federal government. They exploded fireworks in the banks and left a message saying they were armed and ready to fight.

Uh huh. Just like the guerillas that appeared a few weeks ago giving out leaflets calling for armed revolution. Too bad they didn't think to wear something other than new Nikes and driving up in the new white pick ups used by state workers.

The possibility, never mind the likelihood given the situation, of blood being spilt should be enough to drive home the necessity for a political solution to this problem. If Fox or Calderon are not capable of coming to a political solution to this crisis it will be evident that they are not up to the task of governing Oaxaca or Mexico in the coming months and years, a situation that exists due to their own actions during the recent federal election.

Whatever actions that are taken will give a clear indication of how Calderon will govern. Will it be the same old way of making deals with the desires of political and economic actors given prominence in detriment to the well being of the rest of Mexico?

Making deals with the worst of what PRI represents does not bode well for the country and least of all for Calderon's legitimacy. This could be an opportunity to gain much needed political respect. Is he up to it?

[Guy Courchesne]

At least Calderon hasn't made any 'I'll solve it in 15 minutes' promises.

I'd be interested to hear from anyone on if the military is out on the highways with roadblocks and checkpoints. I experienced that once in 2001 in Oaxaca somewhere outside PE, and again in 2005 between Aguascalientes and Zacatecas.

[MELEE]

[Ben Round de Bloc]