1996-11-27 Local Press
Article Index
Summary of Local Press Clippings from Mexico
November 27, 1996, Credit Lyonnais Securities (USA) Inc.
DEMOCRACY
Another Guerrilla Movement?
With its "Declaration from the North" a third guerrilla force announced its presence in Mexico last week. In a communiqué (which was not accompanied by military action) the Revolutionary Army for Popular Insurrection (ERIP) declared four principal demands, including agrarian form, financial and technical support for peasants, a new development model, and the creation of jobs. The new group's social base is reportedly in the areas of La Laguna (Durango and Coahuila) and the Yaqui and Mayo valleys (Sonora) in the northern part of Mexico. Analysts say that the group does not appear to have a Marxist theoretical basis, nor do they appear to have previously been involved in armed struggle in Mexico.
In Baja California, the alleged activities of ERIP led authorities to declare a state of alert in the municipalities of Ensenada, Mexicali and T'juana. In Colima, three people were arrested over the weekend, allegedly for guerrilla ties. However, the Attorney General's office later claimed that they were arrested for drug dealing. Nevertheless, the Director of Public Security in Manzanillo, Colima said that he had been told to strengthen security in public buildings and strategic points, because of a fear of guerrilla attacks. (El Financiero, 24 November).
Judge Orders Detention of Paulina Castanon
On Tuesday, November 19, a judge ordered that Raul Salinas' wife Paulina Castanon be detained on charges of giving false testimony to authorities investigating the murder and corruption case against her husband. Castanon had already fled the country, however, in fear that she would be detained. She is reportedly in Europe. On Friday, November 22, the Mexican government confirmed that it had officially requested her extradition from the European Union. However, the crime is considered minor, and therefore she would be eligible for bail. (Reforma, 20 November; El Financiero, 23 November).
Meanwhile, Raul Salinas' ex-bodyguard -who is in prison- confirmed previous testimony that he had disposed of Manuel Munoz Rocha's car from Salinas' house on September 30,1994. (Munoz Rocha, one of the alleged authors of the murder of former Institutional Revolutionary Party (PU) leader Ruiz Massieu. has been missing since September 30, and a cadaver dug up on Salinas' property several weeks ago is believed by many to be his). (El Financiero, 23 November).