Source: TIME

By: Kimberly Cárdenas, Committee on U.S.-Latin American Relations (CUSLAR)

The cover reads, “Saving Mexico: How Enrique Peña Nieto’s Sweeping Reforms Have Changed the Narrative In His Narco-Stained Nation.” TIME’s February 24th international edition features Mexican president Enrique Peña Nieto in a glorified stance and touts him as a savior of Mexico. The article, “Mexico’s New Mission” praises the president’s “most ambitious package of social, political and economics reforms in memory.” Backlash against the praise of the “reforms” of the president has sprouted all across the transnational online world.

Protestors occupying the podium on December 11, 2013 at the National Congress. Photo from: . Photo from: Huffington Post

Michael Crowley, the author of “Mexico’s New Mission” focuses on one general concept of why Peña Nieto’s Mexico has been so successful: the economic prosperity due to privatization of the country’s huge oil company Petroleos Mexicanos (PEMEX). Opening up Mexico’s oil reserves allows big oil business companies to operate in Mexico “ so oil giants can ship the oil to their own refineries.” Protestors occupied the podium on December 11, 2013 at the National Congress with a poster that quoted former president Lazaro Cárdenas: “Whoever gives natural resources away to foreigners is a traitor to the nation.” Before PEMEX became available to foreign investors, it was regarded “as a symbol of national sovereignty.”

In his article, Crowley states that as a result of the opening for private investment of PEMEX, “smart money has begun to bet on peso power.” The word choice of this statement undermines Mexico’s monetary credibility by placing importance on its reliance on big business. Mexico has gone quickly from being considered a backwards country to being “the most favored nation” on Wall Street.

The cover’s praise of the Mexican president has incited furor from the Mexican people across the world. When asked about his response to the people’s attacks regarding PEMEX, Peña Nieto told TIME, “The state does not compromise in its view that the property continues to be owned by Mexico. It belongs to all Mexicans.”

Enrique Peña Nieto with Warren Buffet and Bill Gates: Photo from: El Observador