Mexico's Government Is Blocking Its Own Anti-Corruption Drive, Commissioners Say by Azam Ahmed

The article by Ahmed documents the attempts made by the government to block the Anti-Corruption Drive. The author states that the government under the administration of President Enrique Pena Nieto implemented the Anti-Corruption Drive, but when questions were raised regarding the scandals jolting Penas administration, the government started blocking and refused to provide answers facing the administration (Ahmed par. 1). Commission members stated that their attempts to look into the use of government surveillance technology and the embezzlement of public funds through public universities, and various allegations of bribes had been thwarted completely. The author further argues that the refusal by the government to cooperate began when advocates presented thousands of signatures supporting a nationwide campaign to combat corruption. Pena was faced with tough questions regarding personal conflicts of interests, and his wifes acquisition of a multi-million home (Ahmed par. 8). The article also mentions that the government is misusing the spying technology to investigate journalists, academics, and human rights lawyers who are investigating corruption in the country.

The new government system is supposed to work with the interests of the Mexican people and not the government. However, this is contrary to the recent activities that have been happening in the nation. The five members of the unique citizen commission state that their power is only in their titles. Significant decisions are made by the appointed seven agencies where six of them are from the branches of the government, and one is of the citizens committee; thus, the citizens commission is outvoted during the decision-making process. The president of the citizens board quotes that she has been given all the responsibility without the power (Ahmed par. 14). The government, however, is denying all the accusations and arguing that it has supported the commission members.

From Ahmeds essay, it is important to note that political corruption is alive and operational in Mexico and the governments blocking of the Anti-Corruption drive will severely affect Mexico in various ways. Political corruption is the use of power by various government officials to satisfy their private needs. According to Morris, the Transparency Internationals (TI) annual Corruption Perception Index ranks Mexico 57 among 102 countries with the highest levels of corruption, which is similar to that of China (2). Political corruption is evident in Ahmeds article that displays allegations made by advocates against President Penas wife purchase of a multi-million home through public funds. The move by the lawyers has been unsuccessful because without a doubt the government, and in this case, the President is protecting one member that his administration was the one that pushed for the formation of the Anti-Corruption Drive. Another instance of political corruption highlighted in the article is the announcement of the United States Department of Justice that a construction company from Brazil called Odebrecht paid millions of dollars to various Mexican government officials to win public contracts (Ahmed par. 24). Such an act severely affects the economic development of the nation because local contractors are denied the chance to bid for projects whose revenues will benefit the local people of Mexico by meeting their basic needs.

The lack of transparency by the government, and especially blocking the activities of the Anti-Corruption Drive is an indication of a continuation of other serious acts of crime such as drug trafficking. Morris mentions that corruption plays an essential role in the drug trafficking business (29). For this case, the governments blockage of the citizens commission and lawyers to investigate its activities signifies that corruption will continue to facilitate the drug business. The author further argues that corruption has shaped Mexican politics and the drug trade resulting in economic instability in the nation. Drug trafficking is an externality to the economy because it benefits from government corruption and promotes violence and public demands for the narcotics (Rios 10). The violent activities culminating from drug trafficking results in the loss of human capital investments, increased medical care, and legal services. The effects of corruption and its influence on other illegal activities are as dire as evidenced by Mr. Pardinas, one of the architects of the Anti-Corruption Drive who has been championing for the fight against corruption and its effects to the nation. As the architect, Pardinas argues that the system has failed the country by working perfectly to allow impunity (Ahmed par. 36).

Ahmed argues that the government has been accused of embezzling millions of funds through public universities. Corruption pervades many types of institutions even those in the education sectors. The theft and misappropriation of funds allocated to facilitate higher learning institutions will significantly affect the quality of education in Mexico. Assuming the stolen funds were meant to expand laboratories in the universities, it, therefore, concludes that the projects will not be undertaken and the learners will be the ones affected. Education is the most crucial sector for launching attempts to prevent corruption. Embezzling the funds supposed to be channeled to the system acts as a barrier for smooth running of operations. For this case, Ahmeds article about governments attempt to block the Anti-Corruption Drive is a serious topic that requires the needed attention by relevant stakeholders to save the country from the adverse effects of corruption.

Question 1. Is the government using its power to prevent sound decision making regarding corruption?

The government has set up seven agencies to manage the decision-making process. Six of the agencies are from its branches, and the last one is the citizens commission. Therefore, the citizens committee is outnumbered during the voting process for decision-making.

Question 2. Is it true that the government is blocking its Anti-Corruption Drive?

Yes, it is true, because there are many allegations made against the government. The article narrates numerous charge against the activities of the state and none of the suspects have been arraigned in court; thus, it is possible that the government is protecting its officials from public scrutiny.

Question 3. Do you think the citizens commission is outnumbered and lacks the power to make decisions?

The citizens commission is outnumbered in the decision-making process because it battles against six agencies, which all come from the various branches of the government.

Works Cited

Ahmed, Azam. Mexicos Government Is Blocking Its Own Anti-Corruption Drive, Commissioners Say. The New York Times, 2 Dec. 2017, https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/02/world/americas/mexico-corruption-commission.html?rref=collection%2Ftimestopic%2FMexico. Accessed 15 Dec 2017.

Morris, Stephen D. Corruption, Drug Trafficking, and Violence in Mexico. Brown Journal of World Affairs, vol. 18, no. 11, 2012. Pp. 29-43.

Morris, Stephen D. "Political Corruption in Mexico: An Empirical Analysis." Unpublished manuscript, University of South Alabama (2005). Pp. 2-33.

Rios, Viridiana. "Evaluating the economic impact of Mexicos drug trafficking industry." Manuscript, Spring (2008). Pp. 2-22