Background on Andrés Manuel López Obrador
Andrés Manuel López Obrador, now the President of Mexico, had previously expressed his desire for greater control over radio and television concessions before assuming office. He reminded journalists participating in “Tercer Grado” that they operate with a state concession.
Dismantling the IFT and Regaining Control
Once in power, López Obrador found that the IFT (Federal Telecommunications Institute) was hindering his efforts to act against concession holders. He proceeded to dismantle the IFT, culminating in a provocative move six and a half years later. This move mirrors Kristi Nohem’s spot, the U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security, as a demonstration of his authority.
Hastily, the Presidental Palace resurrected an initiative that returns absolute power over radio and television concessions to the Presidency, fulfilling López Obrador’s long-standing ambition.
The Role of the National Guard in Public Security
According to INEGI, 2,012 out of 2,475 municipalities in Mexico have fewer than 15,000 residents. This explains the local police’s inability to ensure public safety.
The National Guard was intended to bolster public security, similar to the French Gendarmerie, by providing investigative resources, forensic capabilities, and presence to complement local police in communities with fewer than 20,000 residents.
With proper training and coordination under the security cabinet, National Guard members could potentially operate like the French Gendarmerie and possibly initiate territorial control recovery in communities.
Diputados’ Dilemma: Adriana Montiel and Resource Allocation
Desperate diputados may be recklessly calling for Adriana Montiel’s resignation without considering Morena’s national leadership. Luisa María Alcalde and Andrés Manuel López Beltrán might have decided to let internal disputes run their course to maintain unity and discipline.
Experienced coordinators Ricardo Monreal and Adán Augusto López Hernández should understand Palacio Nacional’s message: “social programs belong to the President of the Republic,” and challenging the sole political leader of Morena could be detrimental.
Miscellaneous Notes
- Will Sedena align the National Guard with its operations? The National Guard’s effectiveness in enhancing public safety remains uncertain, given the challenges faced by local police forces in smaller communities.
- Adriana Montiel’s resource allocation controversy: Diputados’ frustration with Montiel’s restrictions on using the Secretaría del Bienestar resources for personal political campaigns may stem from a lack of understanding regarding Morena’s national leadership dynamics.
- López Obrador’s message to coordinators: The President may have subtly conveyed that social programs are under his purview, urging coordinators to respect the political leadership’s authority.
- Upcoming centennial of the Cristiada: There are questions about whether future generations of the Cristero descendants will receive a state apology on behalf of the Mexican government.
- State of Sonora: Spreading unverified rumors about Governor Alfonso Durazo’s issues is unhealthy for the region.
- Tragic incident in Jalisco: A mother searching for her son was killed, highlighting the ongoing violence in the region.
- David Russell’s reflection: His insightful quote, “The hardest thing to learn in life is which bridge to cross and which to burn,” resonates with the complexities of decision-making.
