 |
|
 |
||
|
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
|||
| Prairie View MFA Agri Services - CLICK - MFA CONNECT |
|
Printable Page
06/10 11:49 CDT Celebrations clash with social tensions in Mexico on the eve of
the World Cup
Celebrations clash with social tensions in Mexico on the eve of the World Cup
By MEGAN JANETSKY
Associated Press
MEXICO CITY (AP) --- Escalating protests and social tensions in Mexico's
capital threaten to derail FIFA World Cup celebrations on the eve of the
opening ceremony as protesters block off access to the main plaza set to host
the country's main fan celebrations.
Mexico jointly hosts the soccer tournament with the U.S. and Canada and kicks
off festivities Thursday with a star-studded event, even as some critics say
the government has spent too much time and money catering to international
visitors at the residents' expense.
The games begin as Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum walks a political
tightrope, navigating a deteriorating relationship with the U.S. ahead of July
trade negotiations, along with political scandals and security concerns
following a burst of violence in a World Cup host city in February.
Pressure has mounted as guests flood into Mexico City. The government has faced
criticism by residents who say authorities have prioritized the competition
over pressing social needs.
On the eve of the opening ceremonies, a teachers' protest camp effectively
blocked off access to Mexico City's main square, a hub for festivities, adding
to uncertainty.
"Mexico wants to project an image to the world that doesn't exactly square with
reality," said Carlos Prez Ricart, a political analyst at the Mexican Center
for Research and Economic Education. "The World Cup is putting the president in
a vulnerable situation ... The government is under extreme pressure."
World Cup is a showcase for the country FIFA's logo, orange Mexican marigold flowers, giant soccer balls and other decorations line streets across Mexico's capital and the two other host cities, Guadalajara and Monterrey. Fans buzzed with excitement as they strolled through Mexico City's streets. The competition is expected to bring in $3 billion for hotels, restaurants and sports venues, according to the Mexican Soccer Federation. Thursday's inauguration and opening match, where Mexico will face off against South Africa, are expected to draw more viewers than much of the competition, with Colombian superstar Shakira and others scheduled to perform. If all goes off without a hitch, it will be a feather in Sheinbaum's cap, said Prez Ricart, showing the world that Mexico is "modern and capable of organizing high impact events."
?Everything is under control' Mexican authorities have fortified security following violence that paralyzed host city Guadalajara in February. More than 100,000 soldiers, sailors, National Guard members and police officers are expected to be deployed across the three host cities, yet social tensions have posed the greatest obstacle, particularly in Mexico City. For more than a week, the country's teachers' union has toppled World Cup statues and blocked roads in an annual push for better working conditions. Families of Mexico's more than 130,000 missing people have hung flyers of their loved ones and said authorities should focus on addressing humanitarian crises in Mexico. "We're not against the ball game," said Luis Antonio Rosales Narvez, a protest organizer. But "they should be investing in education ... not giving the city a makeover." Sheinbaum has denied there was any social unrest ahead of the tournament, but on Wednesday she acknowledged that the World Cup's main fan festival -- set up by FIFA in Mexico City's main square -- may be shut down on opening day. Teachers have set up tent camps on streets surrounding the plaza, making it difficult for thousands of people to access the venue. "If for some reason the Zcalo cannot be used for the opening, there are 18 venues where people can watch it free of charge," Sheinbaum said. "Everything is under control," she added.
?The prices are sky-high' Airports across the Americas were filled with fans. Panama City's airport --- one of the main gateways between North and South America --- was a sea of multicolored jerseys from Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Spain, Germany and elsewhere. "This year we're defending the title, and we'll follow Argentina to the ends of the earth," shouted Emilio Sosa, a 29-year-old from Buenos Aires on his way to Los Angeles. David Botero, a 43-year-old Colombian, was traveling to Mexico City with his family to watch Colombia's opening match on June 17 against Uzbekistan. "What matters is that we'll get to see our team up close," Botero said. Others, like 66-year-old Dr. Jose Luis Muoz, struck a more skeptical tone as he read and smoked a cigarette next to a park in downtown Mexico City that once teemed with street vendors. It has since been cleared out by authorities in an effort to clean up the streets. Muoz said some of his fondest memories were taking his children to games during Mexico's 1986 World Cup and celebrating their home team's winning streak. "I was so excited, and that joy I passed on to my children," he said. This year, though, he was priced out from attending games. Tickets cost hundreds of dollars. "The prices are sky-high. Many people aren't going to be able to go unless they're foreigners with a lot of money," Muoz said. "It feels very discriminatory." Still, he added, he will root for Mexico's team from home with his children and grandchildren. ___ Associated Press journalists Nayara Batschke and Mara Verza contributed to this report from Mexico City.
World Cup is a showcase for the country FIFA's logo, orange Mexican marigold flowers, giant soccer balls and other decorations line streets across Mexico's capital and the two other host cities, Guadalajara and Monterrey. Fans buzzed with excitement as they strolled through Mexico City's streets. The competition is expected to bring in $3 billion for hotels, restaurants and sports venues, according to the Mexican Soccer Federation. Thursday's inauguration and opening match, where Mexico will face off against South Africa, are expected to draw more viewers than much of the competition, with Colombian superstar Shakira and others scheduled to perform. If all goes off without a hitch, it will be a feather in Sheinbaum's cap, said Prez Ricart, showing the world that Mexico is "modern and capable of organizing high impact events."
?Everything is under control' Mexican authorities have fortified security following violence that paralyzed host city Guadalajara in February. More than 100,000 soldiers, sailors, National Guard members and police officers are expected to be deployed across the three host cities, yet social tensions have posed the greatest obstacle, particularly in Mexico City. For more than a week, the country's teachers' union has toppled World Cup statues and blocked roads in an annual push for better working conditions. Families of Mexico's more than 130,000 missing people have hung flyers of their loved ones and said authorities should focus on addressing humanitarian crises in Mexico. "We're not against the ball game," said Luis Antonio Rosales Narvez, a protest organizer. But "they should be investing in education ... not giving the city a makeover." Sheinbaum has denied there was any social unrest ahead of the tournament, but on Wednesday she acknowledged that the World Cup's main fan festival -- set up by FIFA in Mexico City's main square -- may be shut down on opening day. Teachers have set up tent camps on streets surrounding the plaza, making it difficult for thousands of people to access the venue. "If for some reason the Zcalo cannot be used for the opening, there are 18 venues where people can watch it free of charge," Sheinbaum said. "Everything is under control," she added.
?The prices are sky-high' Airports across the Americas were filled with fans. Panama City's airport --- one of the main gateways between North and South America --- was a sea of multicolored jerseys from Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Spain, Germany and elsewhere. "This year we're defending the title, and we'll follow Argentina to the ends of the earth," shouted Emilio Sosa, a 29-year-old from Buenos Aires on his way to Los Angeles. David Botero, a 43-year-old Colombian, was traveling to Mexico City with his family to watch Colombia's opening match on June 17 against Uzbekistan. "What matters is that we'll get to see our team up close," Botero said. Others, like 66-year-old Dr. Jose Luis Muoz, struck a more skeptical tone as he read and smoked a cigarette next to a park in downtown Mexico City that once teemed with street vendors. It has since been cleared out by authorities in an effort to clean up the streets. Muoz said some of his fondest memories were taking his children to games during Mexico's 1986 World Cup and celebrating their home team's winning streak. "I was so excited, and that joy I passed on to my children," he said. This year, though, he was priced out from attending games. Tickets cost hundreds of dollars. "The prices are sky-high. Many people aren't going to be able to go unless they're foreigners with a lot of money," Muoz said. "It feels very discriminatory." Still, he added, he will root for Mexico's team from home with his children and grandchildren. ___ Associated Press journalists Nayara Batschke and Mara Verza contributed to this report from Mexico City.
