Please find attached several articles that report on political developments in the state of Michoacan involving the Partido de la Revolucion Democratica (PRD).

One of the attached articles describes the political fortunes of the PRD in Michoacan since 1988 by stating that "in six Michoacan elections since, Cardenas' PRD has been soundly thrashed by a well-oiled PRI machine that has utilized co-optation, coercion, electoral fraud, and deep pockets to vanquish its arch-rival" (SourceMex 22 Nov. 1995). The 1995 state elections were also won by the PRI (ibid.).

One of the attachments provides an extensive review of the July 1992 elections for state governor and congress of Michoacan (La Jornada 1 Aug. 1992), and another provides an overview of political affairs in Michoacan from 1988 to 1993 (Canadian Dimension Aug. 1993). This later article states that Michoacan held elections in July 1989 for state deputies which resulted in the PRI holding 12 of the 18 seats; municipal elections in December of that year resulted in the PRI controlling a majority of the municipalities (ibid.). After a violent repression of demonstrations by PRD supporters, the government "ended up conceding the PRD control of 52 municipalities" (ibid.). In the 1992 elections for governor, the official results triggered protests by PRD supporters which eventually forced the officially-elected governor to step down and be replaced by a person picked by the state legislature (ibid.). The interim governor was also a PRI member (SourceMex 22 Nov. 1995).

Please consult the attachments for more information on political events in Michoacan involving PRD officials and supporters.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.

References

Canadian Dimension. August 1993. John Warnock. "Mexico—Michoacan Struggles For Democracy." (NEXIS)

La Jornada [Mexico City, in Spanish]. 1 August 1992. "Convergence Reviews Michoacan Elections."

SourceMex: Economic news & Analysis on Mexico [New Mexico]. 22 November 1995. John Ross. "Despite 'Victory' in Michoacan, Governing Institutional Revolutionary Party Has Faced Dismal Electoral Year in 1995." (NEXIS)

Attachments

Canadian Dimension. August 1993. John Warnock. "Mexico—Michoacan Struggles For Democracy." (NEXIS)

Canal 13 Television Network [Mexico City, in Spanish]. 19 January 1993. "PRI-PRD Confrontation Leaves 3 Dead, 12 Injured." (FBIS-LAT-93-012 21 Jan. 1993, p. 10)

_____. 28 December 1992. Alfredo Gonzalez. "Michoacan Tribunal Overturns 11 Mayoralty Results." (FBIS-LAT-92-251 30 Dec. 1992, p. 7)

_____. 7 October 1992. "Michoacan Governor Requests 'Leave of Absence'." (FBIS-LAT-92-196 8 Oct. 1992, p. 6)

_____. 29 July 1992. "Salinas Sends PRD Letter on Michoacan Elections." (FBIS-LAT-92-148 31 July 1992, p. 7)

_____. 17 July 1992. Javier Cervantes. "Commission Confirms PRI Lead in Michoacan." (FBIS-LAT-92-139 20 July 1992, p. 8)

_____. 14 July 1992. "Figures Indicate PRI Leads in Michoacan." (FBIS-LAT-92-136 15 July 1992, p. 10)

EFE [Madrid, in Spanish]. 28 December 1992. "Post-election Violence Leaves 6 Dead in Michoacan." (FBIS-LAT-92-251 30 Dec. 1992, p. 7)

Foreign Broadcast Information Service (FBIS). Latin America Daily Report. 1 July 1992. "Foreign Observers To Monitor Michoacan Voting," p. 11.

La Jornada [Mexico City, in Spanish]. 1 August 1992. "Convergence Reviews Michoacan Elections." (FBIS-LAT-92-182 18 Sept. 1992, pp. 18)

_____. 1 August 1992. "Wave For Democracy Statement on Michoacan." (FBIS-LAT-92-182 18 Sept. 1992, pp. 9-10)

Latin American Regional Reports: Mexico & Central America [London]. 20 August 1992. "PAN The Winner in Chihuahua Polls; Opposition Accuses PRI of 'Dirty Tricks' in Other States," pp. 2-3.

Latin America Weekly Report [London]. 23 November 1995. "Michoacan Held by PRI, Says Exit Poll; Survey Also Shows the PAN Winning the Puebla Contest." (NEXIS)

Los Angeles Times. 7 October 1992. Marjorie Miller. "Mexico Governor Resigns Under Opposition Pressure; Politics: Election Fraud Protests Kept Him From Michoacan Statehouse. Move is Setback For Salinas." (NEXIS)

NOTIMEX [Mexico City, in Spanish]. 13 November 1995. "Institute Announces Preliminary Election Results." (FBIS-LAT-95-221 16 Nov. 1995, pp. 13-14)

Reforma [Mexico City, in Spanish]. 4 November 1995. "PRD Claims Opposition Lead in Michoacan." (FBIS-LAT-95-219, p. 13)

_____. 3 November 1995. "PRI Found Leading for Michoacan Elections." (FBIS-LAT-95-219, pp. 12-13)

SourceMex: Economic news & Analysis on Mexico [New Mexico]. 22 November 1995. John Ross. "Despite 'Victory' in Michoacan, Governing Institutional Revolutionary Party Has Faced Dismal Electoral Year in 1995." (NEXIS)

United Press International (UPI). 16 November 1992. "Eight Arrested in Mexico Electoral Violence." (NEXIS)

XEW Television Network [Mexico City, in Spanish]. 14 November 1995. "PRI Leads Gubernatorial Race in Michoacan." (FBIS-LAT-95-221 16 Nov. 1995, p. 14).

XHTV Television Network [Mexico City, in Spanish]. 21 January 1993. "Television Reports PRD-Police Clash in Michoacan." (FBIS-LAT-93-012 21 Jan. 1993, p. 10)

_____. 31 December 1992. Eliseo Caballero Ramirez. "Parties Take Over Mayors' Offices in Michoacan." (FBIS-LAT-93-002 5 Jan. 1993, p. 6)

_____. 12 November 1992. Alfonso Chong. "PRD, PAN Members Set Electoral Offices on Fire." (FBIS-LAT-92-220 13 Nov. 1992, p. 19)

_____. 11 Nov. 1992. Eliseo Caballero Ramirez. "Official Foresees No Further Violence in Michoacan." (FBIS-LAT-92-220 13 Nov. 1992, pp. 19-20)

_____. 23 September 1992. "PRD Members Continue Protests in Michoacan." (FBIS-LAT-92-187 25 Sept. 1992, p. 9)

_____. 14 August 1992. Eliseo Caballero Ramirez. "Michoacan Elections Declared 'Legal and Final'." (FBIS-LAT-92-159 17 August 1992, pp. 15-16)