I doubt if anyone is holding out much hope that the students are still alive. One of the arrested cartel members said that the bodies were incinerated in the countryside... some of them were burned alive. (Hmmm... how convenient. Does that mean that it's no longer necessary to search for the bodies?) Some have pointed out that on the night of the abduction there was a torrential rain that would have made burning the bodies impossible. Others say that even after burning, there are still bones left behind. Those remains need to be found and identified if only to give closure to the grieving parents.
Peña Nieto did not improve his tarnished image any by taking off to China for a business summit in the midst of the crisis.
As much the President wishes that all of this were behind him, the protests continue. When Alejandro and I were in San Miguel de Allende last weekend, the fence in front of the parish church was covered with protest signs.
"They lack the bullets to kill us all."
"Mexico cries."
"Mexico wounded"
Last night there was a call for a candle light protest throughout Mexico City. I saw some candles lit here on Avenida Amsterdam where I am staying. Alejandro was able to find some pictures on Facebook which he sent to me.
The two pictures above are from Parque Mexico, just a short walk from my apartment.
Protesters in front of the Independence Monument
Scenes on Mexico City streets last night
I've heard people talking about how the murder of the 43 normalistas is the worst government atrocity since Tlatelolco. And I have to agree. And what the heck is Peña Nieto thinking when he flies off to China in the middle of this? What the heck is Jesús Murillo Karam thinking when he says "me canso" when answering questions and then ending the press conference? He should have declared a 10 minute break, taken some water, and then come back and answered questions for as long as there were any.
ReplyDeleteNow this government is going to have to up their game a few levels and charter a real, independent commission to get to the absolute bottom of this mess, and then follow through with prosecutions and punishments.
Unfortunately, this is showing that at some level, things haven't changed much in Mexico. And it's a real pity.
Saludos,
Kim G
Boston, MA
I've read that a group of forensic experts from Argentina (a country that sadly has had much experience in identifying the remains of "desaparecidos" are in Mexico. I do not know whether or not they were invited by the government. But the protestors have said that they will only trust the Argentinians... that they will not believe any forensic tests done by government agencies.
DeleteSaludos,
Bill
Good Lord! By the way, one of the signs hanging on the Parróquia says, "You demand taxes from us; We demand security and repect from you. I think this is the crux of the matter, essentially being the Mexican version of "taxation without representation."
DeleteSaludos,
KG