Aguirre Ends Campaign with Call to End Dirty Tricks
(Acapulco, JG 24 January) Ángel Aguirre closed his campaign in Acapulco yesterday, using the phrase “dirty war” in both of its main senses. He referred to the attacks associated with the PRI in Guerrero between 1960 and the late 1980’s, when indigenous communities were attacked by the military, and many residents simply disappeared, never to be found again, alive or dead. The term invokes the memory of prisoners of conscience jailed by the PRI-dominated State government for their dissenting views. “Never again,” he said in his closing speech to a crowd of 30,000 or more. The phrase has been used by the press to refer to the tactics of “dirty tricks” employed by zealots in the current gubernatorial campaign. Aguirre also referred to that problem, accusing his opponent’s party of waging a “dirty war” against its opponents, and stealing the election if necessary. The supporters of “the other candidate” intend, he said, to confound the election. “They will organize brigades of youths, wearing yellow t-shirts [the color of the PRD] just to confuse and put a strain on Election Day,” he said. “We know them well. Just remember the men in black in Acapulco. We know right now that one day before the election they will hand over a lot of money to bribe the people; they will keep on with their threats and sowing hatred and lies. They will make sure that even dead people vote in favor of the shady interests that they represent.”
Before the march down Cuauhtémoc from Parque Papagayo to the Zócalo, hundreds of supporters gathered to receive election “swag,” like hats, t-shirts, balloons, and even depilatory crème, “Just for Women.” The Costera had been closed at the Zócalo since the day before, in readiness for the event. Part of the confusion was caused by Añorve’s supporters who tried to foil the march by roping off the route, closing it to all comers. They were unsuccessful; however, the candidate and invited dignitaries had to hurry through side streets to catch up with the parade, which had already started.
