Querétaro is a small state located in
North-Central Mexico, with a population of just over 2 million. The state is in
a region known as Bajío, which is known for its high quality of life and
safety.
Among the electorate of Querétaro there is
strong support for the right-of-center National Action Party (PAN). The governor and
two of three federal senators are members of the PAN. The third federal senator
is a member of the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI), which is also the
party of Mexico’s unpopular president Enrique Peña Nieto.
The capital city, also named Querétaro, is
known throughout Mexico for its safety, and for the integrity of its police force and public
administration. There has never been a reported murder of journalist in the long history of the state.
But even Querétaro has its problems. On May 18 of this year Querétaro’s attorney general announced that eight Querétaro municipal police officers were arrested on charges of robbery, extortion, home burglary and abuse of authority.
But even Querétaro has its problems. On May 18 of this year Querétaro’s attorney general announced that eight Querétaro municipal police officers were arrested on charges of robbery, extortion, home burglary and abuse of authority.
The actions were brazen. On-duty officers
started by forcing two people into a cruiser in the Santa Rosa Jáuregi borough
of the city of Querétaro, stealing their mobile phones and 5,000 pesos (~US
$250) in cash. They then attempted to extort 20,000 pesos (~US $1,000) from
their victims in exchange for their release, before abandoning them in an
unpopulated area.
Apparently not satisfied, the officers then
accosted a third person in the same area, and violently forced him into a
cruiser. They demanded he take them to his home, from where they then stole US
$4,800 in cash as well as personal effects.
To its credit, the Querétaro Attorney
General’s office (FGE) acted quickly, obtaining arrest and search warrants in short
order. Incriminating evidence – including drugs – was seized from the officers’
homes. It was also notable that the Querétaro municipal Secretariat of Public
Security (SSPMQ) fully cooperated with the FGE – in other jurisdictions police
forces often work against interference from a state Attorney General.
To date, this appears to be an isolated
event. However, the SSPMQ has said that it is conducting a review, and that of necessary
criminal and corrupt officers will be purged.
And overall, the news
from Querétaro is positive. The area is home to a large
cluster of aerospace and automotive production. With regard to automotive, BMW,
Nissan and Mazda have production facilities, as do many tier-one suppliers.
In May German automotive manufacturer
Continental AG announced that it had opened a new research and development
center focusing on collision avoidance systems, with an investment of 50
million euros (~US $59 million).
Given the anxiety over NAFTA, Querétaro's pro-business climate, and historical
voting patterns, Querétaro is one state where support will likely remain strong for the PAN. In the Querétaro mayoral race on July 1, polls indicate that the PAN candidate for the "Por Mexico al Frente" coalition, Luis Bernando Nava, will win. The PRI and Morena candidates are trailing at 16% and 13%, respectively.
As well, at the federal level presidential PAN candidate
Ricardo Anaya should do well here.
PRI leader Antonio Meade’s support will likely be lukewarm, as it is in most
of the country.
And what of the leading candidate, Andrés Manuel López Obrador (AMLO) of the Morena-led “Together We Will Make History” (Juntos Haremos
Historia) coalition? His populist, left-leaning message won’t have much traction
in Querétaro, where it’s the PAN that's been able to deliver prosperity, security, and
transparency.
Below are the links to the posts for each state:
Below are the links to the posts for each state:
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