Thousands of Mexicans have marched to demand a sufficient supply of affordable tortillas. Since the implementation of NAFTA, Mexico has relied on the cheap importation of U.S. corn. However, the prices of tortillas has recently increased by over 400%. Some blame the increase on the demand of corn to produce environmentally friendly biofuel. Others blame the lack of support for internal agricultural corn cultivation.
Gathered in the zocalo in Mexico city, the protesters demanded a social contract to protect their salaries, food supply, and employment. Andrés Manuel López Obrador, the man who “lost” the presidential election, read the Zocalo Declaration, which lists the demands of the organizations in support of the march. Included in the demands are changes to the electoral process, making farming a priority, human rights, true democracy, and the preservation of the environment and biodiversity. This is definitely a movement of diverse causes!
I suggest listening to this story on NPR from 1/18/07.
Who is profiting the most from the sale of corn, American farmers or wholesalers?