President Felipe Calderon: Don't talk bad about Mexico

If you don't have anything nice to say, then just don't say it, Mexican President Felipe Calderon seems to be telling his countrymen. Speaking Friday during an event to promote Mexican tourism, the conservative Calderon complained that Mexicans both here and abroad talk too negatively about their country -- unlike, Calderon said, Brazilians, who, as the president sees it, live in a more violent country than Mexico.

"The problem that is affecting us especially in tourism is perception and image," Calderon said. "Because, that's right, Mexico is demonized and reproached, even by Mexicans. But, that's right, Brazil, which has double [the homicides of Mexico], takes the World Cup and the Olympics Games. I've never heard a Brazilian speak bad about Brazil."

If those words sound a bit over the top to you, you're not the only one. Calderon's statements sparked a barrage of angry -- let's say "bad" -- reactions among Mexican Twitter users. One responded: "Someone tell Felipe Calderon we're not speaking bad about Mexico, we're speaking bad about him."

Mexico's president often stumbles when speaking off the cuff in public.

In January he sparked an outcry when he initially suggested the 15 young people killed in a mass shooting in Ciudad Juarez were narco-gang members. Turns out most were accomplished high school students.  Last June, he said in a public event that young Mexicans turn to a life of crime with the cartels because "they don't believe in God, they don't know him."

Calderon is understandably under a lot of pressure right now. Criticism is mounting and mounting on both sides of the border about his enforcement-heavy anti-narco campaign, which has resulted in more than 18,000 deaths since December, 2006. When and how will we know if we are winning against the drug smugglers? (We don't, and that's the problem, argues blogger and analyst Patrick Corcoran.)

And when, as citizens or concerned Americans, will it be OK to "talk bad" about the effort?

--Daniel Hernandez in Mexico City.

Photo: Mexican President Felipe Calderon scolds those who speak ill of Mexico. Credit: El Universal.

Comments

[marty molar]

Then why does he visit the USA and talk about Mexicos problems?

[RickD]

Don't speak bad about Mexico? When they arrest a priest who was carrying bullets, not even a gun, into the country (accidentally even!) they want us to not speak bad about them?

As a sailor and cruiser in the near future, I can tell you that Mexico will NOT receive any money from me and my crew. We will not visit a country that arrests Americans for owning weapons.

My crew WILL carry weapons aboard our US flagged vessel. That's vessel is a US vessel and we're American citizens and we will protect ourselves since no one else seems to want to do so.

(I'm not talking about taking guns into another country for sale, trade, or use for anything other than personal protection). If you can't go there without the threat of being killed by drug cartels then I'll speak as badly as I like.

[loveandhatela]

Im sorry Phillip (Felipe) pero in this case perception is reality for the most part.
This is nothing new and you know it- i remember seeing my uncles Alarma revista growing up back in the 1980's.
I want to go to San Miguel de Allende,Guanajuato,Mexico pero thanks to NBC Dateline and other news info I found out that there already have been 2 kidnappings in the city this year.
Im a proud Mexican-American but the reality is it is very dangerous right now in Mexico not just to live there but to travel to it.
I wont be going to el Festival Internacional Cervantino (in Gto,Gto,MX) this fall for the same reason.
See the mexican people need to stand up to the bullies (cartels) dont settle no se conformen.
You beat the Spanish and French come on.
Right now I have relatives that want to move to the USA (Texas & California)- y no son ilegales- they got green cards etc. because they are scared of getting kidnapped, robbed or killed as innocent victims in the cross fire of this drug war.
Oh and F-Calderon (sounds good-double meaning? lol) dont worry about Brazil focus on Mexico.
Just because your not as bad as Brazil doesnt make it okay.
As my shrink told me once- we are our own worst enemy- 5 ways we do that is:
- Denial
-Brooding
-Jealousy
-Fear of feedback
and Procrastination
this all applies to you and Mexico

Viva Mexico and Echale Ganas :) -im just saying.