Mexican Military Movements in Oaxaca Reported -- Is Crackdown on Leftists Imminent? (Translation)

El Universal ( Mexico City ) ^ | October 1, 2006 | Alberto Lopez ( translated by self )

[StJacques]

Movement of Naval Troops Reported in Salina Cruz [Oaxaca]

Alberto Lopez
El Universal (Mexico City)
Sunday 1 October 2006

Juchitan, Oaxaca -- Neighbors of the port city of Salina Cruz and Huatulco [Oaxaca] reported "an unusual movement" of naval troops from the end of last week. "We have seen the arrival of planes, armored cars, and helicopters," said a source who asked to remain anonymous.

Military sources confirmed the versions of witnesses, even though they clarified that the movement of troops corresponds with a program of combat practice which is regularly carried out in a joint form between Marines and soliders of the Mexican Army.

The arrival of troops at Salina Cruz and their displacement from Huatulco provoked alarm among the teachers of Section 22 of the SNTE¹ and the members of APPO² who are in protest in Oaxaca City since some four months back.

Even so, two of the helicopters which flew over the Oaxacan capital yesterday departed at 10:30 a.m. from the site known as "the naval military post station" of Huatulco and returned around 8:00 p.m., according to witnesses.

"Since Thursday we have seen the arrival here in Huatulco of three armored cars mounted on the platforms of some trailers, about 15 big trucks which are transporting troops, two planes and the helicopters," a merchant said by telephone.

By the agreement of the witnesses, the "unusual movement" of the armed forces of Mexico is itself observed in the military post station, located on Huatulco's Hierba Santa Bay, locally situated between the bays of Santa Cruz and La Entrega.

In the command of the tenth naval military zone, with its seat in Salina Cruz, no one wanted to comment on the "movement" of troops the locals observed.

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Translator's Notes:

¹ The SNTE is the acronym for the Sindicato Nacional de Trabajadores de la Educación, the national teacher's union. Their strike, which began in May of this year, is the event which began the current unrest in the state capital of Oaxaca City.

² APPO is the acronym for the Asamblea Popular de los Pueblos de Oaxaca, (Popular Assembly of the Peoples of Oaxaca) the leftist organization that has come together to take control of the city after the Oaxacan Governor, Ulises Ruiz, unsuccessfully attempted to break the strike in June. See the article beginning an earlier thread for information on their close ties with Lopez Obrador and the PRD.

[StJacques]

Well; I really don't know what to make of all of this, but at the very least the Mexican federal government is sending a signal that they may be ready to act if this week's negotiations with APPO do not bear fruit.

There are conflicting signals coming out of Mexico City. The Governmental Secretariat says the helicopter flights are supply missions. But, in a separate statement, Santiago Creel, the PAN Party Senate Coordinator, says about the conflicting reports that "in whatever manner [the military may be acting] it looks to me that our armed forces have the obligation of continuing with their routine, if this was routine, or by those motives which they consider convenient to fulfill." Creel, who was considered the early favorite for the PAN Party presidential nomination last year, also seemed to taunt the leftists in Oaxaca just a little. When commenting upon the mobilization further he said that those "who have an uneasy consicence surely will be made nervous."

I still do not know how far this is going to go, I can only report what I am finding. But the desire of the radical left in Mexico to just tear their country apart in anger over their recent, and true, defeat in the July presidential election seems to know no end. I dearly hope the situation does not fall apart but I am beginning to believe that the patience and forebearance of the Mexican federal government with the left is reaching its end.

[StJacques]

A "Mexican Left Watch" ping for you all.

[Publius]

A move on Oaxaca would be the modern equivalent of Fort Sumter.

[floridavoter2]

Interesting. I wonder how this will affect us...

[JCEccles]

Will the left attempt a putsch? Do they have that kind of strength, and moles in the present government willing to undermine it?

Or will they attempt a Castro-style revolution?

And I have to think that Hugo Chavez is involved in some way.

[Publius]

If Mexico enters a genuine civil war, go back to the civil war that started in 1910 and petered out a decade later.

Do a search on "Pancho Villa".

[StJacques]

The Left does not have the strength to attempt a coup. And the Mexican people, who are very politically inclined, would never stand for it.

And Hugo Chavez's support for Lopez Obrador's PRD is an already proven fact. Since the PRD are openly encouraging APPO in Oaxaca, the connection is at the very least only one step removed.

[NickatNite2003]

Insurrection is a shoot on sight offense.

[Cicero]

As I think I said when this story first broke, my daughter, son in law, and three granddaughters were in Oaxaca last spring for a month or so. Beautiful place. It has what is said to be the largest tree in the world.

They had a great time--other than being robbed once when my son in law took the girls for a walk up a hill near the town. Scary, but no damage done.

There are pictures of the gigantic Tule tree of Oaxaca here:

http://www.delange.org/Tule/Tule.htm

[butternut_squash_bisque]

"...I am beginning to believe that the patience and forebearance of the Mexican federal government with the left is reaching its end."

'Bout damned time, IMO.

[JCEccles]

I don't see this being resolved short of bloodshed.

[Bernard Marx]

And I have to think that Hugo Chavez is involved in some way.

What Gringo paranoia! Why there are some delusional people who actually think the Chicoms, the Cuban regime, the Sandanistas in Nicaragua, Chavez in Venezuela, Morales in Bolivia and Brazil's Lula de Silva might even be planning a Marxist-style destabilization of Mexico! That would put a Marxist-socialist state right on the Rio Grande. What nonsense! (sarcasm/On)

[LachlanMinnesota]

Somebody didn't pay off the right people, I'll bet...

[Jim Noble]

I still do not know how far this is going to go

Leftism eventually requires an Indonesian solution everywhere...

[butternut_squash_bisque]

Firewood for several generations, C. Awesome!

[StJacques]

"What Gringo paranoia!"

In November 2005 the Mexican government expelled then ambassador from Venezuela Vladimir Villegas for developing political contacts with Lopez Obrador's PRD, the EPR guerrillas, and much more. Mexico and Venezuela have never since fully restored diplomatic relations as Chavez has recently taken Lopez Obrador's side in his protests over the recent Mexican elections, which many Mexicans see as interference in their internal affairs.

On Vladimir Villegas and his interference in Mexican affairs:

http://www.vcrisis.com/?content=letters/200511190917

[aft_lizard]

This could very start a civil war and a flood of illegals like we have never seen before. The sad thing is that if the Calderon Gov't doesnt do it first the leftist's will continue and start it anyways.

[rovenstinez]

My personal spin: Mexican PRESS is quiet and subdued on week ends! Almost a news blackout. I think they chose Friday night for their operatives to avoid the press(?) The gov't is real concerned about public opinion, NOT in doing what NEEDS to be done.

[Kenny Bunk]

Interesting that it is the Navy conducting this operation.

It's a very elite service in Mexico. Although small the service is quite technically adept and rather well trained. On another note, I simply cannot believe these developments are unreported in the MSM! Excuse me, but this is a bigger story than Woodward's latest novel, or Foley's fascination with teen-aged boys' underwear.

[norton]

No similarity at all.

However, it would be nice if they worked 'Al Gore' into the name of the operation.