Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07MEXICO5981
2007-11-30 18:45:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Mexico
Cable title:
MEXICO ON VENEZUELA'S CONSTITUTIONAL REFORM PACKAGE
how-toVZCZCXRO0153 RR RUEHCD RUEHGD RUEHHO RUEHMC RUEHNG RUEHNL RUEHRD RUEHRS RUEHTM DE RUEHME #5981 3341845 ZNY CCCCC ZZH R 301845Z NOV 07 FM AMEMBASSY MEXICO TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 9723 INFO RUEHXC/ALL US CONSULATES IN MEXICO COLLECTIVE RUEHCV/AMEMBASSY CARACAS 1317
C O N F I D E N T I A L MEXICO 005981
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/08/2027
TAGS: PGOV PHUM WHA VE MX
SUBJECT: MEXICO ON VENEZUELA'S CONSTITUTIONAL REFORM PACKAGE
REF: STATE 154674
Classified By: Political Minister Counselor Charles V. Barclay. Reason
: 1.4 (b),(d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L MEXICO 005981
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/08/2027
TAGS: PGOV PHUM WHA VE MX
SUBJECT: MEXICO ON VENEZUELA'S CONSTITUTIONAL REFORM PACKAGE
REF: STATE 154674
Classified By: Political Minister Counselor Charles V. Barclay. Reason
: 1.4 (b),(d).
1. (C) Deputy Political Counselor met with Landy Esquivel,
from SRE's Latin American Office, November 28, to convey U.S.
concerns as relate to the anti-democratic changes Chavez
seeks to make with its constitutional reform package coming
up for a vote on December 2 and urge Mexico to join us in
speaking out more publicly on this issue. Esquivel remarked
that Mexico refrains from commenting on matters of policy
"internal" to other countries opining it was up to the
Venezuelan people to decide democratically whether or not
they were agreeable to the kinds of changes Chavez was
proposing.
2. (C) Esquivel remarked however, that Mexico was prepared
to engage on provisions that affected directly Mexican
interests or Mexican citizens. For example, Mexico
understood that the constitution reform package contemplated
some changes that could affect Mexican economic interests
including potential curbs on foreign investment. Several
provisions were contradictory so Mexico was not clear on the
kinds of changes the package would produce upon
implementation if passed. Mexico had not raised this matter
yet with Venezuela but planned to if the changes passed.
3. (C) Esquivel offered high praise for the professionalism
of Venezuela's new Ambassador to Mexico, Roy Chaderton, a
former Venezuelan FM under Chavez. Esquivel remarked that
Chaderton met frequently with Mexico's FM and that the
Venezuelan Embassy was in general very active. Officially,
Mexico says it does believe a Bolivarian Movement exists in
Mexico. Personally, however, Esquivel expressed her view
that the Venezuelan Government was actively engaged with an
incipient movement. She also believed Chavez had probably
sought to offer leftist candidate Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador
support for his campaign for president last year. At the
same time, she said she had no reason not to believe Lopez
Obrador's assertion that he received no support from
Venezuela.
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 /
GARZA
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/08/2027
TAGS: PGOV PHUM WHA VE MX
SUBJECT: MEXICO ON VENEZUELA'S CONSTITUTIONAL REFORM PACKAGE
REF: STATE 154674
Classified By: Political Minister Counselor Charles V. Barclay. Reason
: 1.4 (b),(d).
1. (C) Deputy Political Counselor met with Landy Esquivel,
from SRE's Latin American Office, November 28, to convey U.S.
concerns as relate to the anti-democratic changes Chavez
seeks to make with its constitutional reform package coming
up for a vote on December 2 and urge Mexico to join us in
speaking out more publicly on this issue. Esquivel remarked
that Mexico refrains from commenting on matters of policy
"internal" to other countries opining it was up to the
Venezuelan people to decide democratically whether or not
they were agreeable to the kinds of changes Chavez was
proposing.
2. (C) Esquivel remarked however, that Mexico was prepared
to engage on provisions that affected directly Mexican
interests or Mexican citizens. For example, Mexico
understood that the constitution reform package contemplated
some changes that could affect Mexican economic interests
including potential curbs on foreign investment. Several
provisions were contradictory so Mexico was not clear on the
kinds of changes the package would produce upon
implementation if passed. Mexico had not raised this matter
yet with Venezuela but planned to if the changes passed.
3. (C) Esquivel offered high praise for the professionalism
of Venezuela's new Ambassador to Mexico, Roy Chaderton, a
former Venezuelan FM under Chavez. Esquivel remarked that
Chaderton met frequently with Mexico's FM and that the
Venezuelan Embassy was in general very active. Officially,
Mexico says it does believe a Bolivarian Movement exists in
Mexico. Personally, however, Esquivel expressed her view
that the Venezuelan Government was actively engaged with an
incipient movement. She also believed Chavez had probably
sought to offer leftist candidate Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador
support for his campaign for president last year. At the
same time, she said she had no reason not to believe Lopez
Obrador's assertion that he received no support from
Venezuela.
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 /
GARZA