Vicente Fox and the 2000 Mexican Election

• Mexico's first presidential election in the new millennium broke from Mexican political precedent because of the PRI's failure.
• President Zedillo upheld his commitment to steering Mexico toward democracy which led to his own party's defeat.
• The focus shifted from PRI candidate Francisco Labastida and PRD's Cuauhtémoc Cárdenas to Vicente Fox of the PAN.
• Vicente Fox, a former Coca-Cola de México CEO and Guanajuato governor, led a successful campaign.
• Fox's cowboy boots and open shirt at political events helped him connect with Mexican voters.
• The Catholic Church's advocacy for democratic reforms boosted Fox's support.
• Middle-class Mexicans were more open to PAN due to its ties to the church as a result.
• Polls indicated a close race between Fox and Labastida, with Cárdenas trailing.
• Fox criticized the PRI's 70 years of corruption during an April presidential debate, leading to a landslide win.
• A Fox presidential victory became a possibility following the April debate.
• Labastida struggled to separate himself from the unpopular policies tied to his predecessors.
• Mexicans voted in large numbers on July 2, 2000, resulting in a PRI defeat.
• Concerns about fraud and voter intimidation never came to pass.
• President Ernesto Zedillo recognized Fox's victory and promised a smooth transition.
• Mexico's president was no longer from the PRI after 71 years marking an end to the party’s control.
• Most historians believe that the social reforms in the Constitution of 1917 were implemented until 1940.
• Government rhetoric leaned on revolutionary nationalism to maintain support after social progress declined
• Many Mexicans viewed revolutionary nationalism as a façade long before Salinas cut ties with the concept in 1988.
• Social issues were put aside in favor of economic development.
• Authoritarian corruption widened wealth disparity, denying social justice.
• Wealth inequality was evident with millions of illiterate, low wages, high unemployment, inadequate housing, and insufficient medical care.
• Air pollution in the Federal District posed major health risks.
• Ciudad Nezahualcóyotl, a Mexico City suburb, was one of the world’s largest slums with over 3 million people.
• Children scavenged through garbage dumps.
• A million rural campesinos worked on plots too small to provide for their families.
• Over half of all Mexicans lacked access to running water.
• Real income fell in the 1980s and 1990s from inflation outpacing minimum wage increases.
• Poverty and malnutrition persisted even with increased food.
• Infant mortality declined and life expectancy increased.
• Educational and upward mobility opportunities increased.
• Inauguration day was December 1, 2000 and Mexicans felt democratic legitimacy for the first time in 7 decades.
• There was hope that economic prosperity and social justice would occur, as Fox had promised.
• The president-elect visited the Basilica of Guadalupe and joined worshippers.
• This was a symbolic gesture of state and church despite disagreeing on social issues.
• Vicente Fox's PAN shifted towards the political center.
• Rumors that President Fox might limit abortion rights or privatize PEMEX were unfounded.
• Fox didn't support the archbishop of Mexico's anti-abortion views.
• Fox would not introduce legislation to change Mexico's abortion laws even though he was personally against abortion.
• Fox rejected the idea of US capitalists investing petroleum when President George W. Bush suggested it.
• PEMEX accounted for approximately a third of all government revenues
• PEMEX was not for sale to foreign investors just yet.
• Fox appointed cabinet members from both the left and right.
• Carlos Abascal, a pro-industrialist and Catholic, became secretary of labor.
• Jorge Castañeda, a leftist critic of US relations, was appointed secretary of foreign relations.
• Mexico transitioned to democracy electorally, the optimism faded during Fox's presidency due to failed campaign promises on economic reform.
• Some shortcomings related to his management style and in coalition-building.
• Fox frequently disagreed with his own party when he attempted to build coalitions.
• A group called Los Amigos de Fox was accused of illegally funneling money from US donors which led to Mexicans questioning his commitment to fighting corruption. Jorge Castañeda resigned in January 2003 because he was frustrated in trying to improve the nation’s dealings with the US and ensure better treatment for Mexican migrant workers.
• Castañeda unsettled Mexico's relationship with Fidel Castro and was accused of pressuring Castro to leave a UN summit early for President Bush.
• Luis Ernesto Derbez replaced Castañeda, other cabinet shuffles and high-level official dismissals followed in 2003.
• In May 2004, Fox told off Energy Secretary Felipe Calderón for appearing to run for president, which resulted in him leaving the government.
• "Martita," aka Marta Sahagún, stirred up controversy when Fox married her a year after taking office.
• Marta stepped past the role of presidential wife.
• She created the Vamos México foundation and gathered millions from the wealthy.
• Vamos México was accused of siphoning off funds from the National Lottery in 2004.
• Fox's chief of staff quit, claiming the first lady's political dreams got out of hand.
• Fox stepped in and said they would both go home at the end of his term.
• Marta Sahagún continued to be criticized for her wardrobe until she donated outfits to charity.
• Fox promised a 7% annual economic growth for Mexico.
• Mini-scandals as well as gridlock hurt this effort, including a sluggish world economy.
• Annual economic growth was close to 1 percent instead of 7 and less than the 5 percent registered from annually 1996 and 2000.
• Middle and lower sectors who charged that he ignored the less privileged did not support Fox’s value-added tax on food, medicine, schoolbooks, and educational fees.
• The income gap increased as the bottom and middle sectors decreased.
• Fox skirted the political problem of privatizing PEMEX.
• Reforms allowed private electricity investment.
• 2003, China took Mexico's place as the third-largest exporter of goods to the United States. Difficulties emerged in increasing employment and jobs in the Mexican manufacturing industry or maquiladoras either declined or were unmoved.
• Mexico was limited by lending organizations in areas of social assistance.
• With slightly increased social spending per capita as part of The Oportunidades program, the Fox government made no strides in human capital investment that might boost output levels like education, health, and career training.
• The Fox administration campaign's pledges to tackle long lasting impoverishment seemed hollow as wealth inequality widened.
• A focus Mexico's pre-Columbian heritage, the "pride" of the country faced trouble due to efforts to direct the educational program towards science and tech.
• The native people of Mexico were facing hardship.
• Mexico's people who are native to the country and those who resided in the south found themselves to be among the hardest struck.
• Many communities were stricken by elevated levels of illiteracy, reduced life expectancy, and malnourishment in children.
• It complicated their escape from destitution.
• They endured racial discrimination.
• The Fox administration named Xochitl Gálvez, an Otomi Indian and successful consultant, to lead the Office of Indian Affairs in an endeavor to respond to the Indian situation across the country.
• There were only tiny resources at her disposal.
• The administration gave importance to incorporating Indian civilizations rather than bolstering the common traditions and unity.
• The Zapatistas retained national and international support.
• The revolutionary indigenous committees’ goals, included housing, food, healthcare, and education, plus indigenous freedom, democracy, justice, and peace.
• Zapatistas were connected to the outside world via internet.
• Fox mentioned that he can resolve the Zapatista issue fifteen mins, during campaign.
• The liberation of Zapatista inmates from Mexican detention facilities, and decline of military at Chiapas pointed to his genuine drive to offer a constructive solution.
• He directed to Congress statutes proposed by Zapatistas to offer the natives more authority over conventional areas, and natural assets.
• The march headed from Chiapas to Mexico City in February and March 2001. They used their brand name masks, but kept the settlement that their weapons were left outside the city under control.
• Local Zapatista officials and Sub-Comandante Marcos, famous Rafael Guillén, gave a speech for thousands at Zócalo.
• Their demand was people of earth’s color can’t stay Mexico’s disregarded masses any longer.
• Congress didn’t want grief to be put to them, despite the fact many PRI and PAN congressmen disagreed of giving them an official forum.
• The speaker to the zapatistas in their marches to have the government to listen was Maya Indian woman, Comandante Esther. An Indian rights bill failed to cover pivotal factors like resources that allow Indians the tools needed to restore communities and advance.
• In May 2006, instructors at Oaxaca walked out for strike requesting better pay/programs and school kids who aren't financially stable.
• The strike was assisted via grassroot group, Popular Assembly of the Peoples of Oaxaca.
• PRI governor Ulíses Ruiz dismissed complaints or concerns, setting officers back again, initiating violence with most victims injured/killed.
• Mexicans requested Governor Ulíses Ruiz depart to help restore justice.
• Senate supported steps to governor fall down to help revive justice, Ruiz didn't accept the situation which placed weak central power with conundrum that PRI has presidency.
• Tourist industry was discouraged due to deadlock in Mexican government.
• Mexico had a vulnerable democracy because the rule of law had a fragile structure.
• Most nations/areas make judges and public prosecutors appointed to governors that cause bring corrupt reps or abusive reps tough.
• Fox's administration aided in the reformation of judicial structure.
• Fox stated at Texas business appointment that Mexican immigrants have U.S. have had employment where dark individuals choose never to do.
• He showed shock to many.
• He bartered insults/South African presidents/Fox's administration to have a combat on words Venezuelan populist president, Hugo.
• Both ambassadors had an argument with it resulting in withdrawal both nations.
• Fox's administration had support regarding free/fair elections that was deemed bad for its reputation.
• Though President did not separate himself by deviousness by PRI to be discredit Andrés Manuel López Obrador known to be AMLO as a political figure of power.
• AMLO got enormous approval via support of fiscal stability performing and provide for weak/elder, where social support has been necessary, via maintaining regions on Federal district in Mexican government.
• In April 2005 charges to strip Lopez AMLO of the municipal protection.
• 300k citizens protested at Zocalo.
• Congress went strip AMLO out on votes, by April of 2005, due to 300k furious populations went against them the votes had an effect leading back towards PAN.
• The attorney general's was not prosecuting to the government.
• Elections drew near and PRD candidate AMIO, directed elections small border votes, by small edge.
• 2k3 transparent legislation/support had been set because the law allowed agencies for the branch who hold the chair.
• Mexico made progress because the President to bring up measures that support laws in the juridical area. But President needed to have people to go back to his district vote again because officials don’t value the electorate back to their constituent because officials don’t have rights reelection.
• Mexico's deeply rooted politics which appeared did it take its time and appear a slight change that they suffered from traditions.

Explore the factors behind Vicente Fox's 2000 presidential victory in Mexico. Analyze the role of key figures, the Catholic Church, and campaign strategies. Understand Fox's policies on abortion and economic issues during his presidency.