[StJacques]

"The left and the jihadists are both trying to overthrow peaceful civilizations. Both have to be stopped. Both are being encouraged and actively helped by the left."

You know; a couple of years ago I would have argued with you that the goals of the left and the jihadists were radically different, at least in terms of their immediate effect. But after what I've seen over the past two years I'm going to stop and say that, in the final analysis, you are right.

[StJacques]

I'm just posting a general update on the Oaxacan situation for the moment, since I won't have time to sit down and do any translating until later this afternoon. But in one sentence, it appears clear that there is not going to be a negotiated way out of this from the federal perspective, or at least not until they put APPO in a very weakened position so as to force them to deal honestly.

The following are the news items of note up on El Universal:

APPO has put up new barricades and strengthened existing ones to prevent the Federal Preventive Police from entering the city center, especially along the Oaxaca-Mexico highway where they evidently see evidence of a PFP advance.

APPO has called on its followers not to confront the PFP. This may mean that APPO is hoping for a positive response from the federal government to its offer to reenter negotiations or it could mean they don't want a fight until the PFP reaches the city center. APPO says it wants to bring "a class of civility" to the people of Mexico. Ahem! They have ordered a withdrawal of their supporters facing the PFP.

The PFP has already moved to within five kilometers of the city center. Some locals of the outlying areas of Oaxaca City are not reacting favorably to their approach, though there have been no confrontations reported.

The PFP are bringing armored cars into Oaxaca City in preparation for an evident move to enter the center of the city. Seven armored cars equipped "to remove obstacles" and carrying water cannons.

The PFP has already begun taking down APPO barricades in outlying areas. This means they have freed up the Procurator of Justice offices and the "official house of Government" (I don't know if this means the Governor's house or not), which are located between the airport and the city center.

Finally; the PFP is shutting down highway access to Oaxaca City, especially along the "international highway," which I assume to be the "Pan American Highway." This may fall under the heading of "securing your flank" prior to entering the city's center.

So that's everything of note -- there are numerous smaller stories about APPO activists burning fires in city streets, a PFP officer killed in an accident, local residents worried about the outcome, etc. -- up to this time. We will all be waiting to see if the PFP intends to enter the Zocalo capital square forcefully later today, which is where the mierda might really hit the fan.

I'll be checking back in later this afternoon.