Chivis Editorial:The apathy of Mexicans-Tutateca's new segment

Chivis Martinez Borderland Beat

"I have a lot of people here, those who don't work with me,....I will fuck"   La Tuta

 

The newest star on Tuta TV is Juan Hernández Ramirez, PRI mayor of Aquilla, Michocán.  This is a different location than the previously released videos.

Two images were sent anonymously to the press, both appeared to be screenshot images, although no video accompanied  the images.

This is the fourth Michoacán mayor featured in wither videos or images with the man most commonly known as La Tuta, whose legal name is Servando Gómez, the premier leader of Los Caballeros Templarios.  

The other mayors who starred in a Tuta production were arrested and are in prison.

Recently, a video surfaced in which  Eliseo Caballero (journalist of  Televisa) and  José Luis Díaz (owner/director) of  Agencia Esquema news agency.

The men have insisted they had no choice but to cooperate with Tuta.  They report that Tuta began the first meeting with "I have a lot of people here, those who don't work with me,....I will fuck".

I think few will doubt that he may have said that.  But the argument that they were forced, is an overplayed, stock answer.  Each person in these meetings, gained something.  It went far beyond being forced into helping Tuta, it was a business arrangement.  A governorship, a seat in state government, a Municipal presidente seat, new cameras,  a new truck, or money, etc..  Give and take.  both sides criminals.

Forced is a 12 year old migrant child, kidnapped and imprisoned into the sex trade.

Few dare being a hero in Mexico, apathy is the norm.  Problems are for others to solve.  and therein lies the main reason, the true autodefensas,  had my respect and admiration.  They were willing to die to create a better Michoacán.  Fear entraps people and alters a society.

Would it be amazing if one reporter, politician, or  mover and shaker, would set Tuta up?

In the case of the Televisa and Esquema cowards, I have zero sympathy for them.  I hope they are arrested.  Seeing them ask for cameras and a truck, was stomach-turning.

When I see these videos, I feel defeated.  I feel I have wasted a decade of my life, and a chunk of money, spinning my wheels. 

I have worked side by side with those who stink to high heaven from corruption.   I have been betrayed by good people ,who have been conditioned to think that a certain amount of cheating is acceptable.

How can they not?  They are surrounded by corruption and crime being not only the norm, but perpetrated by those in fiduciary positions of power, complicit with criminals.  This directly impacts the thinking of Mexicans , to feel little responsibility or motivation,  to fight for and protect the good not only for themselves but for others.

Apathy, the greatest cheat of Mexican society.

Largely, the indifference towards the problems and issues of others.  Taking care of oneself, "my family, my house, my life".  A protective mechanism by those who have lost hope and feel helpless to cultivate change or demand better, so an acceptance forms,denialism forms. 

I don't regret my time in Mexico.  I was naive  when I landed and set up my offices.  and I knew zero of the cartel wars.  Proof is in picking a  "hot area" location, where two shootouts occurred outside my office.  I have been cheated and betrayed, by "good" people,  one expects to be robbed by criminals not people that know you are helping others without personal gain.  I can honestly say, it is the betrayal of those who portray themselves to be honorable people, that slams in to the heart and mind the hardest.

My best work has been in indigenous areas.  I have never encountered dishonesty helping the Zapatistas, or other indigenous groups.  We are partners on projects, I provide the materials for the schools, wells, electricity, they insist on doing all of the labor.  Another area of success,  has been working on projects directly, one on one,  with medically fragile, disabled children or poor children. Parents only want good for their child, they are not interested in ripping off my foundation.  If I had it to do over, I would only have projects, one on one, and with the indigenous peoples.

There have been times I have made a huge difference in the lives of special children.  My most incredible moment was funding the first cochlear implant (in Mexico) for a 3 year old deaf/blind child (at left).  I was in the room with the parents and doctors, when the implant was activated, a magnificent, emotional  indescribable experience. It was a cherished honor to be a part of the miracle.

She is 10 today.  She is happy,has  learned braille at my center, and learned to use a cane by one of my volunteers.

A second all time favorite case, was that of Lucia, when I met her she was 9.  At that time, she was one of 45 children in the world that had progeria, is is an ultra rare disorder.   It is a escalation  aging syndrome, which a child ages 7 years or so each year of life.  It  affects them both externally, and internally, heart, lungs, severe arthritis  etc.

They lose their hair, have stunted growth, appear to be elderly.  Lucia never grew past 2 feet and 14 pounds.

I was able to have her accepted into the only place treating progeria in the world, Boston Childrens Hospital.  Oh how she loved our trips to Boston. For Lucia, not having care for so many years, it was too late.  She died at the age of 13.  She is one of 12 children I have buried in Mexico.

But she was my most special child.  She was so strong, so forgiving of the stares and the bullying.  Much more so than I.  But that is another story, for another day.

I took the foto below just before our last trip to Boston about 5 mos before her death.  her hand is in that of my assistant.  Her bones were deformed by this time and she could no longer write or walk.

Corruption and apathy.  Mexico's grand cheaters.  Not narcos.  They are opportunists, and don't hide in a shroud of  pretense, as Tuta says, he is a criminal, he never hides from saying what he is. "Teaching wasn't satisfying".

It is all the others, the press, politicians, educators, people that should protect society, but greed intervenes.

And lets be clear, it is greed, that allows Tuta to reign, not fear.  Oh sure fear is an element that cannot be denied, but it begins with greed.  Tuta did not rise to power without first tapping into mans greed. Power came later.  I am speaking in terms of those in positions that have the expectation, they will help not harm, being true to society. 

I did not plan to make this into an editorial, and to step up on my soapbox.  But these videos have hit me in the gut like nothing before.  Being aware, and visual conformation  are two entirely different animals.

If I am asked if I have compassion or forgiveness for these people. 

My answer would be ...never.