Florence Cassez and boycott to Tourism in Mx.
I would like to know your opinion on this matter. But before that, I would like to inform you a little bit about the background in my country. After drug trafficking and crimes related to it, Kidnapping is one of the biggest problems in Mexico. Big demonstrations have been organized across my country to protest against kidnaps and murders (http://www.theepochtimes.com/n2/world/mexico-march-against-crime-3595.html). I don't think anyone knows how does it feel that a friend, a relative, a friend's friend or a friend's relative was kidnapped, tortured and sometimes murdered, unless it happens to you. There are groups supporting capital punishment, something that ten years ago people condemned. We're a religious country, yet we all want our security back.
I can compare that problem in Mexico to France's problems with terrorist group ETA (as well as Spain). Why? It causes death, innocent lives change forever, and it is a very sensitive topic for French people. Well, for us Mexicans, the problem with kidnap is a sensitive topic too. We want to see criminals who kidnapped and murdered innocent people (sometimes even kids) in jail, paying a fair condemn for the crimes they committed. Police reports only an average of 700 kidnaps a year. Other sources talk about 7,000 kidnaps a year that are not reported to the police.
In 2005, "Los Zodiacos" (The Zodiacs) a gang of kidnappers was arrested. It was something the media was not able to record, so later on they did like a fake arresting. Why? Yes, you might think this is stupid, but the government needed to show the people that they arrested criminals, that they got them, that they are no longer a threat to their security.
Along with these gang, a french woman was arrested, Florence Cassez, she was the gang leader's girlfriend. The leader claims that she has nothing to do with the kidnaps, and the whole criminal organization. But witnesses (the people they held kidnapped when the police arrested the gang) claim that they recognized her voice (believe me, we would recognize spanish with a french accent anywhere) and one of the ladies saw her draining blood from her son to send to her husband in order to claim the ransom.
Now the lady was given 98 years in prison, which was reduced to 60. Earlier this year, Zarkozy visited Mexico, and while here, he asked Mexican president Felipe Calderón, to repatriate Cassez to France, where the condemn would be reduced to 20 years (due to French Laws). Calderón refused, not respecting the Strasbourg Convention.
Today, the support committee for Florence Cassez in France called for a boycott on Mexico's Tourism, asking French citizens not to visit Mexico for their holidays, until the country respects the Strasbourg Convention and sends her back to France to serve a 20-year sentence.
I know that the convention was meant to be helpful on these topics, but why should France's law reduce her sentence for crimes she committed in Mexico, against Mexican innocent citizens?
What do you think? Is boycott our tourism the answer to that matter?
http://www.laht.com/article.asp?ArticleId=341351&CategoryId=14091
That french woman is guilty by association.
Mexico is a very corrupt country, that became very rich growing and making hemp, cocaine, heroin, and selling to other countries. Mexican justice is not reliable, they probably made a mistake in FC case. Many innocent Mexicans are in jail, while big drug lords were released by government. Mexicans use to mock of France. France should obligate Mexico to deliver FC to France. France is powerful, with nuclear weapons, Mexico is weak and coward, they wanted to join Germany in world war, to recover some land from USA, at the end they said to be friends of USA. They are traitors and cheating people. If France threatens Mexico, this country will do what France wants. In Mexico, justice is sold and bought with money, so if France and European Union declare a commercial boycott to Mexican products, Mexico will be on its knees. Use military or economic power.
Thanks PM, the pictures are beautiful, and it is indeed a very astounding dome! Parties that honor the Virgin and Saints are really amazing!
Thanks for your thoughts Alexa =) Guadalajara is beautiful! You have to go!
I had the good fortune of being there on the feast day for the Virgin. They brought her icon through the town in processions and the worshippers followed on their knees, while the local boys shot up the sky with their rifles and pistols riding on horseback. What a JOYOUS day for them -- and me!
Here's some cool pics:
http://instructional1.calstatela.edu/bevans/Art454L-57-Puebla/T00002.html
This website has some good quality images. The interior view of the dome (cupola) is astounding! It's almost 3-D in that angels and saints are swooping down from the ceiling towards you when you look up!
I didn't drink the kool-aid! -- PM
I know it PM, but never been there :_(
crapcircle, you should do it at least once! =)
To visit Mexico. I lived in the States for a long time but never had the money/time to go south. Someday perhaps, and I am sorry to hear it is that bad, but inevitably all things must pass. I know it sounds like empty words, but I can only wish you all the best :)
I even have pics!
And one year I was at Teotihuacan on the solstice with all the sun worshippers!
I took my family to the Mayan Riviera 2 years ago. I don't think tourism has been affected there like around Mexico City. At least it didn't seem like it :-)
I love your roots, too! I've been to most of the great Mayan and Aztec sites, as well as the greatest Spanish Baroque Churches and Cathedrals. One of my favorites is the Church of Tonanzitla not too far from Puebla. Do you know it?
I didn't drink the kool-aid! -- PM
actually, if you go on March, on the 21st, when it's the solstice day, in Chichen Itzá a very special thing happens: the sunlight comes across the top of the "pyramid" and it looks like a fire snake coming down. Mayans believed it was Kukulkán, the sun god, coming down to indicate the start of the spring.
I just love my roots! =)
I was in the Riviera Maya two weeks ago... Beautiful, and really a shame that people won't want to come due to all of this crimes.
Crapcircle, I'm from a large city near the border, and the situation is just bad.... Monterrey, if you read news from Mexico on the drug trafficking issue, for sure my city's name will come up. Sadly!
I'd love to be there on the big day! Think I might try to swing that :-)
I didn't drink the kool-aid! -- PM
'bout three years and some change left, should be fun :)
Your better off without them, pompous,arrogant,
,Gits. Except for the ladies that is!
I'm impressed crapcircle :-)
I didn't drink the kool-aid! -- PM
for the Mexican government with the cartels. You got the biggest illicit drug market in the world on your northern border, and the world's biggest small arms manufacturer as well, that also happens to sell weapons to anyone with a driver's license in some places. Hope for Quetzalcoatl's return or something...
I have had the pleasure of traveling there extensively in the past leading tours and have been asked to do so again. The one thing that is preventing me and my sponsors from this venture is the lack of safety due to kidnappings, muggings and robberies around some of the larger cities and tourist attractions. I would LOVE to see the Mexican government get a handle on the issue and get back the security they had 10-15 years ago when I took several groups there. When I hear that the government is making serious efforts to do so and they are being interfered with by outside politicians (like the French, in this case) I want to add my voice with a resounding NO!
Internal security and handling criminal activity should be internal. One should not expect their own country to be able to bail them out by creating political and economic pressure across the board, especially if there is ample evidence that they are guilty. In this case she should HAVE TO SPEND HER SENTENCE IN MEXICO, without the option of getting a sweeter sentence in her home country.
I realize that there are some cases where people have been arrested on trumped up charges and made to face a kangaroo court, but my understanding is that this is not the case with Ms. Cassez.
I think you will more than make up for tourism from Americans and other nationalities if you can show that you are making it more secure for everyone. Sentencing criminals to tough sentences in Mexicans prisons is a start.
Viva Mexico!
I didn't drink the kool-aid! -- PM
we don't care for boycotting them! hehe
we just want criminals to pay for the damages they cause to our families and our security. Doesn't matter which nationality...
i know, i understood, i meant there isn't much Mexicans can boycott in return that is French sadly ;)
well, the French group is trying to boycott travels to Mexico!!!! And there's a lot of things to do in Mexico!! Beautiful beaches, amazing archeological sites, cool cities...
Tourism in my country is a big source of income!
Sadly there's not much French to boycott, cheese, wine...their cars suck anyways. Don't know what to tell you, but boycotting a sector of industry just because they put one of your savages in jail is obvious exaggeration in diplomatic terms. As for French politics lately, or for that matter, in general, I have little positive to my knowledge ;)