“No people believe in their government. At most, the peoples are resigned.” Octavio Paz
Today we commemorate the CCXV Anniversary of the beginning of the Independence Movement, consummated in 1821 after the emblematic hug of Acatempan.
The celebration of the cry on September 15 is a historical distortion that became a tradition. Sadly, this year in several locations the celebration was canceled, due to violence.
Let us remember some of the most significant episodes that have marked these 215 years of national life:
- We begin our independent history with the first Mexican empire.
- In 1823 the Federal Republic was established and until 1855 the country lived under intermittent governments, including that of the president who participated in the American invasion, which resulted in the territorial mutilation of Mexico and the separation of Texas. In February 1848, the loss of more than half of our territory was consumed. Of almost five million square kilometers, our territorial extension was reduced to less than two million. The relationship with the United States has been complex and challenging.
- The reform laws, promulgated in the 1850s, eliminated privileges of the clergy and the army, confiscated ecclesiastical assets, guaranteed freedom of cults and gave rise to the Civil Registry.
- With the suspension of external debt payments, France began an intervention in Mexico in 1861.
- From April 1864 to June 1867 we had the second Mexican empire.
- Subsequently, the country lived the long period of Porfiriato, followed by the Mexican Revolution initiated in 1910.
- In the post -revolutionary Mexico, after military governments, a stabilizing and sustained development model was built, with a transsexenal chain that gave rise to the so -called “Mexican miracle.”
- In the last decade of the twentieth century, transit to democracy accelerated in an orderly and concerted manner. In this process, virtually all political forces coincided, in such a way that, in the intermediate elections of 1997, with the new institutional framework, it was possible a more equitable and plural competition that caused the PRI to lose the majority in the lower house and that in the year 2000 the first alternation occurred in the Presidency of the Republic in more than 70 years.
- However, just over two centuries after independence, it seems that the conflict has become our constant. Democratic harmony has become elusive, and the current regime is committed to dismantling it.
At the close of the first quarter of the 21st century, we cross a deep crisis caused by the current regime. Its most notorious features are: asphyxiating corruption and impunity; an overflowing insecurity; an alarming public indebtedness; the militarization of civil functions – as customs, ports, airports, tourism companies and infrastructure works; the subordination of the legislative and judicial powers to the Executive; a constant polarization, and the control of a large part of the national territory due to narcoterrorism.
Constitutional reforms, product of a political whim and endorsed by a spurious majority, have undermined the function of the Constitution as guarantor of legal certainty. Federal and local judicial powers have been distorted, disappeared autonomous and weakened institutions that Mexicans build throughout decades. In this context, it is confirmed that when politics goes well, even what is wrong can improve; But when politics goes wrong, as unfortunately it is our case, even what worked can deteriorate.
We are far from the reconstruction of a culture of peace and the recovery of harmony.
These national dates should inspire us to act before our institutions end up falling apart. It is time to undertake the reconstruction of the country and the social fabric, as well as to put loyalty to the nation above any other consideration.
Let’s not stop insisting on the need to open dialogue spaces to restore the social fabric and promote a real culture of peace.
*The author is a lawyer, negotiator and mediator.
X: @Phmeroldd
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