Federico Reyes Heroles
The bombardment of nonsense is overwhelming. There is so much to talk about what is happening in the world that the ravings of the ruling party should be relegated to a lower plane. But the avalanche shows that authoritarian culture already governs us, that we are once again under an illiberal regime, to use L. Diamond’s term, authoritarian. It is impossible to feign insanity.
I listen and read the news item over and over again. It is the governor of Puebla speaking. In 44 seconds, he lays bare his way of thinking. He begins with an “appeal” to the business group Proyecta to “donate” two hectares to the state government. The purpose: to build housing for the police. It sounds good, but… he jumps from the donation to what he considers to be the motive: “They have had a lot of wealth”. Had? Didn’t they work for that wealth? He didn’t say obtained. “…They have benefited a lot” and then he adds “from the people of Puebla”. In other words, did they take from the people of Puebla? Did they steal from them? Well, then he should denounce the outrage of the “Group”.
The job of businesspeople is to generate wealth by the law. Was the land sold to them fraudulently? Who was in charge? Who authorized the sale? Who did the legal valuation? “It’s about time they gave something to Puebla.” Something? If there was an outrage, the people of Puebla should be compensated according to the law, not just something. Who sets the criteria for “a lot of benefit”? He does, but based on what criteria? So in Mexico, the Morenista rulers are already above the tax authorities, the judges, and any other authority. They, and only they, know where the limit of excess lies. Wow, what a risk to invest in Mexico! From there, the governor went on to make an open threat: “…We are going to give you 30 days”. Why not 15 or 60? Once again, he ignores all the rules and shows his sword of justice: the expropriation of double the amount. Why not triple or ten times more? But expropriation is a process; it is regulated. How does he know he will complete the procedure in 30 days? Or is he so confident that the legislators in his party will support him without further consideration and that a sympathetic judge will give in?
The State of a single man, that’s how he sees himself as a ruler, because it is a matter of “social justice”. But then, “social justice” is not based on the rule of law but on the individual vision of each ruling Morenista. “It’s not repression.” Repression? And he adds: “Because, if not, they’ll soon start complaining”. But complaining is a right of citizens and companies. The law must guarantee them access to complaints and justice through professionals. It is called the Judiciary, whether local or federal. Apparently, that guarantee no longer exists. “Grupo Proyecta,” he threatens them, “two hectares in a month or expropriation proceedings…”
The ending is a gem: “… whatever you decide”. Decide? No. Decisions are made freely, not extorted publicly. Any decision made under pressure is flawed from the start. If they broke any law, they have no right to decide. A call, an invitation, a threat, but don’t worry the reader, the punchline is pure cynicism: “… with all love, with all respect”. Hours later, he retracted. The damage remains; that’s how he thinks.
Grupo Proyecta has been accused of pressuring communal landowners, buying at low, below-market prices, and logging forests. If they do that, they are committing various crimes. They should be reported and prosecuted according to the law. The “Group’s” investments are immense, as is the generation of employment.
If the governor’s folly were an isolated incident, it would already be very worrying. But no. The President’s letter suggesting that Morena avoid the advanced campaign acts of its membership, as a senator of that party has been doing, is another example of the authoritarian culture: a senator ostentatiously violating the law, making a mockery of it.
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