Drug dealers or cops behind the threats against De Mauleón?

Are drug lords or cops threatening De Mauleón?

For the umpteenth time in social networks, anonymous threats were issued this Wednesday against Héctor De Mauleón , columnist for EL UNIVERSAL. And they have come back with a vengeance, through a video where a hand is seen holding a revolver, firing its rounds against a photograph of the writer. It's no coincidence the fact that these threats return now that De Mauleón himself returns to his journalistic task in our newspaper, after a few days off. But the truly disturbing fact is, as we're told, that there is a suspicion that members of the Mexico City police may be linked to small-scale drug dealers , denounced by the journalist in his column for this newspaper. For instance, we're told the most recent video was recorded at a firing range frequent by cops during target practice. Are drug dealers or cops behind these threats?

PRI locks aren't quite open yet

While the XXII National Assembly of the ruling Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI) concluded last Saturday with the internal approval regarding the removal of the so-called “locks” that prevented party supporters – who aren't party members - from becoming candidates for the party in the upcoming 2018 elections , there are some PRI members who have asked the million-dollar question: when will party leader, Enrique Ochoa, send the documents to the National Electoral Institute (INE) for approval? The party has 10 days to submit the documents to the INE and the electoral organization has 30 days to approve – or not – the request. What some PRI members are questioning is whether this will take place before September 8 , when the electoral process for 2018 is due to begin. Because, in order for the modifications to the by-laws to be valid, they need to be approved and published. Thus, the locks haven't been officially removed.

Tension between senators

Tension is sparking among the legislators of the Mexican Permanent Commission. Yesterday, during the debate on the beginning of the North American Free Trade Agreement talks, Senator Miguel Barbosa – former left Democratic Revolution Party (PRD) member, presently, member of the Labor Party (PT) – asked a college of ruling Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI) coordinator Emilio Gamboa, to lower his voice. Later on, Isidro Pedraza, PRD member, asked him to do the same. And the last straw was courtesy of National Action Party (PAN) member, Laura Rojas, who requested Barbosa remain silent. Mr. Miguel hid his face behind his hands. It seems tensions are running high during the final stretch of this administration. Oh, my!

Tug-of-War in the P

RD

The internal movements within the left Democratic Revolution Party (PRD) are engulfed in a heated tug-of-war due to the changes their national leadership will have to face in October. We're told that they have failed to reach an agreement on the method to replace Senator Alejandra Barrales. The fight to see who becomes king of the mountain, according to our sources, is happening between the National Democratic Alternative , led by Héctor Bautista, and the New Left, under the leadership of Jesús Ortega and Jesús Zambrano. Beyond any other difference regarding the way in which the PRD is to move forwards, both movements are in favor of the creation of a Wide Democratic Front . The small but considerable variation between the Alternative and the New Left, is that Alternative doesn't want to see the National Action Party(PAN) included in the Front. Thus, the consolidation of a coalition gathering the left and the right would be quite a complicated feat if the party leadership were to be granted to a member of the Alternative.

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