BACKGROUND
In order to legitimate his presidential authority, Felipe Calderon, upon assuming office declared war on Mexican drug cartels and dispatched the Mexican Army to hot zones such as Ciudad Juarez. After five years the death toll has supposedly reached 50,000. The number of human rights violations that include torture, disappearances and summary executions committed by the armed forces have escalated dramatically. Media coverage in Mexico as well as in the United States and Canada has also contributed to a climate of fear that has reduced the volume of foreign tourism with a subsequent negative impact on the Mexican economy.
CROSS BORDER ENCOUNTER
The encounter is designed to gather activists, academics, and citizens from the United States, Canada and Mexico to analyze the root causes of the drug related violence as well as to begin grassroots organizing that transcends borders in order to stem the violence and construct more just, sane and peaceful societies.
PROGRAM CONTENT
· History of Mexico and Relationship to Drug Cultivation and Cartels.
· The Neighbor Next Door: Drug Consumer and Arms Dealer.
· Foreign Interests and Interventions
· Security and Prosperity Partnership/Plan Puebla Panama/Plan Mexico
· Analysis of Media Coverage of Drug War.
· Impunity: Justice Denied.
· Day of the Dead: Spirituality of Life.
· Visit Local Village for Traditional Observance.
· People’s Movement to End Violence.
· Cross Border Organizing.
ACCOMODATIONS
We will be staying at a learning center with dorm style housing close to the downtown area of Cuernavaca. This will facilitate our access to various community visits as well as cultural sites. All meals will be provided at the center and prepared with attention to any particular dietary needs.
COST
The cost of $595 USD includes full room and board as well as all other program related expenses. Participants are responsible for their own airfares, flight arrangements and transportation between the Mexico City airport and Cuernavaca.
The program begins with dinner on Monday, October 29th at 6:30 p.m. and closes with dinner on Saturday, November 3rd at 6:30 p.m.
For a registration application, deposit and payment information contact Ariadna Méndez at creamericas@gmail.com.
