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Country Profile
 History
Political and Economic Realities
The Situation for Children
Country Comparison
HISTORY
 With a population of 100.9 million (World Bank, 2002), Mexico is the second largest country in Latin America . Over 80% of Mexico is mestizo or of mixed racial background. Over the last decade, Mexico has lived through a period of profound economic, political and social change which has been characterized by an increase in poverty, unemployment, violence and human rights violations, along with a change in the governing party and an increase in the activity of civil society organizations.
POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC REALITIES
In 1994, the national elections were won by President Zedillo of the Partido Revolucionario Institutional (PRI), further extending their uninterrupted 65 year rule of the country. In spite of this grip on national politics, the opposition PRD scored a significant victory in 1997 when their leader Cuauhtemoc Cardenas was elected as mayor of Mexico City. In the 1998 state elections, both the PRD and the conservative PAN Party won more votes than in previous elections. This decline in the power of the PRI culminated in July 2000 when Mexico elected Vincente Fox, leader of the PAN, to be president of the country. Although this will probably not result in a different economic direction for Mexico, the victory was significant in that it represented an end to 71 years of one party rule in Mexico.
On the economic front, Mexico's efforts to chart an independent course have continued to decline with the advance of economic globalization. Since the early 1980s when high interest rates left the country unable to pay its $100 billion foreign debt, Mexico has been forced to increasingly depend on, and conform to, conditions set out by international financial institutions such as the I.M.F and the World Bank.
The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) was signed in the fall of 1993, and it served to further erode nationalist economic development possibilities by solidifying into law a series of policies that, among other things, forced Mexico to sell off hundreds of state-owned corporations. During the last years of his presidency, Salinas sold over 900 state enterprises to wealthy entrepreneurs. This fire sale continued under President Zedillo (1994-2000) as control over transportation, communications, oil, gas and other vital national resources fell into the hands of private corporations. In spite of these measures, Mexico is still one of the most highly indebted countries in Latin America. Mexico's foreign debt stands at more than $161 billion, equivalent to 40.3% of the gross domestic product of 1998.
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The influx of powerful American companies and the flooding of the Mexican market with cheap foreign imports has displaced thousands of local businesses. Low wages lure foreign investment into Mexico and over the last 6 years, hundreds of maquiladoras (foreign owned assembly plants) have sprung up around urban areas. Unfortunately, this has led to downward pressure on wages and offers little long-term job security or economic stability.
Although the economic indicators for Mexico have been quite positive, they are not reflected in an improved quality of life for the majority of Mexicans. The globalization of the Mexican economy has resulted in a widening in the gap between rich and poor and an increase in levels of unemployment and poverty.
Approximately 24 million Mexicans live in extreme poverty (UNICEF, no date provided). 8% of the population in 2001 were living on less than $1 a day (UNICEF, State of the World's Children, 2004). According to the Mexican Workers Federation, it takes 4 minimum wage salaries to purchase the daily necessities for a family.
In the rural areas, the expansion of agribusiness conglomerates has displaced thousands of peasants as land continues to be consolidated for export production. Landless peasants are left with little choice but to migrate to the major urban centres, further swelling the ranks of the unemployed and putting downward pressure on urban wages. The spread of agribusiness and the lack of state support for small and mid-sized farms has resulted in a drastic decline in production of basic foods such as rice, corn and beans for local consumption. Conversely, there has been a growing dependency on foreign imports (of questionable nutritional value) to meet basic nutritional needs.
Drug trafficking in Mexico has become widespread and it has tentacles in every corner of Mexico and every part of the government and industry. The largest drug cartels earn US$10 to $US20 billion per year - an amount equal to that earned from the export of oil. (Toronto Star, March 22, 1997) The impact of drugs on Mexican society has been substantial, increasing violence and crime with corruption reaching within the government. Politicians involved in the drug trade have been able to extend their influence by sharing millions with Federal police and military officials.
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THE SITUATION FOR CHILDREN
Health:
Children in Mexico suffer greatly from the effects of poverty. According to UNICEF's State of the World's Children 2004 report, 67,000 children under 5 die annually. Mexico's infant mortality rate is 29 per 1,000 live births (UNICEF, State of the World's Children 2004). An alarming 66% of Mexico's rural population are not using adequate sanitation facilities (UNICEF, State of the World's Children 2004).
Women:
As the economic situation throughout the country deteriorates, more women have joined the workforce, particularly in the industrial free (maquiladora) zones. Many women are forced into double duty when they enter the workforce - caring for their families at home while at the same time working outside the home. About one third of Mexican families are now led by single women and the fragile state of the family has impacted negatively on the well-being of children.
Education:
Many children who enter primary school do not complete secondary school because of health, economic and social problems. Within the public school system the quality of education remains low with few state resources invested in education. Schools are often overcrowded. The decline of the Mexican education system is apparent in the high number of children who never go to school and the large number that leave school early in search of employment. In 1999, only 89% of children in primary school reached grade 5. Due to the high incidence of poverty, there is a large number of working children in Mexico. In 1996, 3.5 million children were part of the labor force (UNICEF).
In the area of early childhood care, studies (1993) concluded that public sector programs for pre-school children cover only 5% of the estimated 8 million children in Mexico. Government operated child care centres in Mexico City only serve about 12% of those in need and have not increased in recent years due to their high cost and government cutbacks. Many parents, particularly single parents, have few alternatives but to leave their young children in the care of neighbours or alone at home while they go to earn a living.
In response to this, many communities have formed organizations to run small centres where children can be cared for while parents work. Popular movements and local organizations have played a vital role in constructing alternatives to the social challenges facing Mexico. The government's weak response to these problems have shown Mexicans that they need to find their own solutions by drawing on local resources within their communities.
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Chiapas
Poverty and malnutrition are most prevalent in rural areas, particularly in the southern region of Mexico. Chiapas is one of the states where poverty and unjust land ownership patterns have reached the most extreme levels. It was this struggle for land, liberty and basic services that led to the Zapatista rebellion in Chiapas in January, 1994. Following the uprising, the government moved thousands of troops into the area where they remain to this day.
In April 1995, a series of meetings between the government and the Zapatistas (EZLN) began. This resulted in the signing of 40 pages of agreements in February 1996. These agreements defined protection of Indian culture and civil rights, and allowed for a degree of indigenous autonomy. The Zapatistas also focused on local autonomy for the municipal governments of the more than 700 primarily indigenous municipalities throughout Mexico. The government also agreed on the right of indigenous communities to work the land in a collective manner under the "ejido" system. Although former president Zedillo promised to present the Accords to parliament, this never happened and in early 1997, negotiations between the government and the Zapatista rebels broke down and have yet to be resumed.
Throughout the region a state of low intensity conflict continues to exist. A large contingent of government soldiers remain on constant alert as the government strives to minimize any influence the Zapatistas might have over the population. Paramilitary death squads have appeared with regularity and the horror of this dirty war was evidenced by the massacre of 45 men, women and children in a refugee camp near the town of Acteal in December 1997.
Since 1998, violence and repression by the federal government has increased and has included military and police operations, arbitrary detentions, and expulsion of foreigners. On June 10, 1998, confrontations occurred with the Mexican Army as 1,500 troops attacked the autonomous municipality of San Juan de la Libertad. According to reports, nine people were killed, 10 wounded and homes of EZLN supporters were ransacked. Following this incident, Bishop Samuel Ruiz resigned from the position of mediator for the peace negotiations. In most communities throughout Chiapas, the ongoing political struggle for the hearts and minds of the people continues.
Added to these problems was a series of environmental catastrophes that began with a severe drought that scorched southern Mexico and Guatemala in the summer of 1998. This led to the emergence of a huge number of fires that raged out of control across much of southern Mexico. This crisis was followed by severe flooding of most of Chiapas following the torrential rains that fell during the month of September. These disasters resulted in many deaths, widespread population displacement, hunger and the threat of water borne diseases such as cholera, malaria and typhoid.
As a country, Mexico has experienced considerable environmental deterioration over the last ten years. This has led to a decline in food production and an increased dependency on foreign aid.
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