VZCZCXYZ0001
PP RUEHWEB

DE RUEHME #3659/01 3641435
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 301435Z DEC 09
FM AMEMBASSY MEXICO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 9596
INFO RUEHXC/ALL US CONSULATES IN MEXICO COLLECTIVE
RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA 1185
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 0392
RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC
RHEHAAA/NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL WASHINGTON DC
RHMFISS/HQS USNORTHCOM
RUEHRC/DEPT OF AGRICULTURE WASHINGTON DC
RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHINGTON DC

UNCLAS MEXICO 003659 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM PINR UN MX
SUBJECT: AGUASCALIENTES TACKLES SECURITY AND 
ECONOMIC CHALLENGES WITH RELATIVE SUCCESS 
 
¶1. (SBU) Summary:  Poloff traveled to 
Aguascalientes, Aguascalientes to assess the 
political, economic, and security situation in the 
state by talking with a number of legislators, 
officials from the state government, members of the 
state human rights commission, prominent business 
people and leaders of the academic sector.  Located 
on the western side of the Mexican highlands, 
Aguascalientes is one of the wealthiest but smallest 
states in Mexico.  Locals promote the state by 
highlighting its prospects for investment and 
employment even though it has been hit hard by the 
economic downturn.  Migration is one of its major 
problems, especially for the marginalized segment of 
the population.  Neither organized crime nor human 
rights concerns figure as prominently as in other 
states.  Recent mid-term elections left the state's 
political alignment intact.  Officials cooperate 
well with the federal government, which is crucial 
in tackling a variety of challenges including 
insecurity and unemployment.  End Summary. 
 
Political Landscape 
 
¶2. (SBU) Political power in Aguascalientes is 
divided between Mexico's two leading political 
parties with the right-leaning National Action Party 
(PAN) leading the state government but with the 
Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI) holding a 
majority of the seats in the state legislature (14 
of 27).  Of the smaller parties, Convergencia has 
control of two seats while the Green Party of Mexico 
and the Democratic Revolutionary Party (PRD) are bit 
players with one seat a piece -- not enough to give 
them much bargaining power.  Even though PRI won a 
majority in the local congress and big victories in 
the midterm elections nationally, the party only won 
two out of six seats assigned to Aguascalientes in 
the Federal Chamber of Deputies while PAN won the 
remaining four. 
 
¶3. (SBU) Local politicians and academics predict 
close races for the upcoming 2010 elections for 
Governor, the state legislature, and municipalities. 
PRD is not a real player in the state but its 
leaders are discussing a possible alliance with 
other leftist parties including the Labor Party 
(PT), Convergencia, and possibly PVEM and PANAL in a 
bid to win some of the votes traditionally cast for 
the PRI.  It is likely that PRI's candidate for 
governor will be Senator Carlos Lozano de la Torres, 
who scores high approval ratings.  Given recent 
electoral trends in other states, PRI has a real 
chance to claim the governorship of the state. 
 
Ongoing Migration Problem 
 
¶4. (SBU) Migration to the U.S. remains a major 
challenge for Aguascalientes.  The State Secretary 
of Government, Juan Angel Perez, told Poloff that 
the government estimates that each day 13 people 
from Aguascalientes try to make their way to the 
U.S.  In August 2009, 300 former residents of 
Aguascalientes were deported from the U.S.  Most of 
the emigrants hail from Calvillo, a municipality 
located in the southwestern part of the state; San 
Antonio, Texas and Kansas prove the most popular 
destinations.  Ironically, Calvillo is one of the 
most prosperous municipalities in Aguascalientes, 
suggesting residents' reasons for emigrating may 
have more to do with family ties than economic 
factors. 
 
Economic Development 
 
¶5. (SBU) State government officials repeatedly 
stressed their commitment to improve economic 
conditions.  David Cisneros, Undersecretary for 
Promotion and Services, told Poloff that the 
government seeks to expand business, promote 
railroad investment and increase highway 
development.  The state is taking steps to improve 
 
infrastructure, as it is strategically located 
inside the triangle that connects the three most 
populous areas in the country:  Mexico City, 
Guadalajara, and Nuevo Leon.  Humberto Moro, 
Director General for Projects and Infrastructure, 
told Poloff that the Secretariat of Economy would 
like to consolidate and expand Aguascalientes' 
tourism industry.  The government is planning to 
build a resort which will attract foreign retirees. 
One of the most modern stadiums, "Victoria Stadium," 
opened in Aguascalientes in 2003. 
 
¶6. (SBU) State Secretary of Government Perez also 
stressed that Aguascalientes has a well-developed 
labor market since the state has not suffered a 
strike in more than 30 years.  Noting the state's 
strong economic policies and respect for the rule of 
law, Perez said that with good governance 
Aguascalientes maintains an excellent investment 
environment and a high standard of living for its 
inhabitants.  Representing USD 200 million in 
investment, the headquarters of Nissan in Mexico is 
located in Aguascalientes. There are several 
projects in development such as the construction of 
the newest and most modern World Trade Center in 
Mexico, four shopping malls, and two theme parks. 
Agriculturally, the state is known for its 
production of "guavas"; around 80 percent of the 
exports of this fruit go to the U.S. 
 
¶7. (SBU) Secretary of Social Development, Beatriz 
Canizo, told Poloff that the state government is 
working to develop marginalized communities, lessen 
reliance on remittances, and improve the quality of 
its citizens' lives through the implementation of 
certain programs such as "Hagamoslo Juntos" (Let's 
Do it Together), a program aimed at teaching skills 
such as home repairs.  Another program she pointed 
out is called "Impulsa," which gives loans to small 
businesses.  Canizo also highlighted "Justicia Para 
Todos" (Justice for All), a program that provides 
free legal services for the poor, and the 
Secretariat's free courses on dressmaking, hair 
cutting, carpentry, and other home economic skills. 
 
Security Successes 
 
¶8. (SBU) Secretary of Public Secretary, Rolando 
Hidalgo, told Poloff the primary security issues in 
Aguascalientes are extortion and abuse of authority. 
Thanks to cooperation with the army, he said 
organized crime is no longer a major problem in the 
state, and the citizens of Aguascalientes generally 
support the military's engagement on security 
issues.  Poloff heard from several contacts during 
the visit satisfaction with Hidalgo's performance. 
Hidalgo maintained that his agency has complied 
fully with its commitments under the Public Security 
National Agreement signed in August 2008.  Hidalgo 
also showed Poloff the modern C-4 command center 
where analysts and officials work with databases and 
communicate among agencies and entities to prevent 
and reduce crime.  The C-4 strengthens surveillance 
activities, which helps the state prevent crimes and 
conduct investigations.  Hidalgo assured Poloff that 
Aguascalientes shares strategic information with 
Plataforma Mexico, a nationwide public security 
system promoting regional and national coordination. 
 
¶9. (SBU) Hidalgo highlighted that under the current 
administration, in coordination with the Mexican 
army, the state Public Security Secretariat had 
undertaken 1,167 operations in which they detained 
414 alleged criminals including 59 members of eight 
different gangs involved in organized crime. 
Hidalgo boasted that state forces had also secured 
the release of eight kidnapping victims and 
recovered 71 stolen vehicles.  Hidalgo maintained 
that the state continues to strengthen police entry 
requirements and vetting procedures, including 
physical and mental health tests.  He asked whether 
the Embassy could provide Aguascalientes with any 
 
assistance or training for security cooperation. 
 
Human Rights Issues 
 
¶10. (SBU) The State Attorney General, Edgardo 
Valdivia, told Poloff that his administration is 
committed to respecting human rights and providing 
assistance to crime victims.  Nevertheless, 
officials at the State Attorney Office conceded that 
Aguascalientes had a long way to go to implement the 
2008 justice reforms.  The Academic sector 
represented by Rafael Urzua, Director of the 
Autonomous University of Aguascalientes, concurred 
that implementation is a long way off; academics 
claimed, however, that some progress has been made 
with adjusting the new law curricula in universities 
across the state. 
 
¶11. (SBU) State Human Rights Commissioner, Omar 
Williams Lopez, cited gender violence, poverty, and 
the excessive use of force by security officials as 
the principal human rights challenges the state 
faces.  Lopez lamented that rising poverty levels 
could exacerbate human rights concerns.  He claimed 
that trafficking in persons was not a serious 
problem in the state; rather, violations involving 
women and children were mainly related to domestic 
violence.  Notwithstanding this claim, a local 
Deputy told Poloff that the local Congress is 
drafting a state TIP law. 
 
¶12. Comment:  Aguascalientes is well-known for its 
relative wealth and high quality of life.  It boasts 
a proud historic tradition, relative tranquility and 
a strong economy, but still faces challenges 
connected to security and migration.  New private 
investment would help reduce immigration flows to 
the U.S.  For now, the state relies on a positive 
business climate to foster economic growth and 
greater job opportunities.  Next year's 
gubernatorial race could well ride on the 
government's record on economic issues.  End 
Comment. 
 
Visit Mexico City's Classified Web Site at 
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/wha/mexicocity and the 
North American Partnership Blog at 
http://www.intelink.gov/communities/state/nap / 
 
PASCUAL