I’m in el norte right now and, for once, I’m content to be 2000 miles from Casita Colibrí. I’m nearing the end of a 3+ week visit to both coasts and usually by this time I’m champing at the bit to return to Oaxaca, but not this time.
Today is election day in Mexico. These elections are, according to Raúl Benítez, a security expert at the National Autonomous University of Mexico, “the dirtiest elections since the advent of democracy in Mexico.” Aljazeera America proclaims, “A mounting body count and widespread disillusion with the govering [sic] elite threaten to mar midterm vote.”
And, two nights ago, under the cover of darkness, the federal government sent in the army, navy, and federal police to occupy Oaxaca and ensure the elections proceed. As I write, accounts and photos are being posted to Reportes en Oaxaca and the Facebook group, bloqueos y accidendes en Oaxaca of helicopters hovering, marches, and ballot boxes being burned el centro.
In the blog post, Oaxaca Occupied, poet, playwright, and friend, Kurt Hackbarth provides some insight into what brought Mexico to today’s state of chaos.
There are no words to describe how sad I feel for the people of Mexico — they deserve so much better.
Mexican Peso Converter
View From Casita Colibrí 
Sounds like ’06 all over again.
Hi Shannon,
Do you think we might be able to use Kurt’s article for the next issue of SV?
It was great to see you again.
Love,
Bonnie >
Will email him.
Completely agree with you. The Mexican people do deserve better. Lately I have been reading articles calling Mexico a “failed nation state” . That kind of talk frightens me. I prefer to see it as Mexico going through some growing pains as they transition to democracy post PRI. But this election makes me wonder. It seems to be the one most fraught with tension in recent years. I hear talk of huge blocks of people abstaining from voting and burning ballots in the streets. And not just in Oaxaca, Guerrero , and Chiapas too. Does it seem worse than usual to you?
As an outsider, it’s hard to know what to say… There was/is much opposition to the PRI reforms, disillusionment in the electoral process, and anger at the disappeared 43 students. With this election, there was a concerted campaign among some to either boycott or sabotage.