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Sunday, 20 July, 2008, 22:50 GMT | more prices >>

Congress barricaded in Pemex reform row



By Upstream staff 

Protests over Mexican President Felipe Calderon's oil reform plans have continued for a fifth day - with opposition politicians barricading Congress and a number of senators starting a hunger strike - casting doubt on whether the bill would be passed by the end of the legislative session.

Santiago Creel, co-ordinator of Mexico's ruling conservative party in the Senate, said it was unlikely Congress would be able to approve the bill by 30 April, when the legislative session ends.

Today, chairs were piled in a barricade around the speaker's platform, while the opposition politicians in the Senate began fasting to demand that Congress schedule a national debate on the energy bill backed by President Felipe Calderon.

There was no word as to what such a debate would entail.

Oil production in Mexico, is declining and reform advocates say state-owned Pemex, needs outside resources to explore for reserves.

The bill would let Pemex partner with private companies for exploration and refining.

Opponents claim the bill would lead to selling off parts of Pemex and threaten national sovereignty.

Senator Carlos Navarrete, leader of the leftist opposition Democratic Revolution Party bloc, vowed disruptions would continue.

"We have made a gigantic effort - at enormous political and physical costs - to push for a wider debate," the Associated Press quoted him as saying on W Radio today.

The tactics in Congress are supported by Mexico's foremost leftist leader, former presidential candidate Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, who drew more than 100,000 supporters to a Sunday rally against the oil reform in Mexico City's central square.

Last week, lawmakers from Lopez Obrador's Democratic Revolution party and two minor parties stormed the podiums in the house and Senate after Calderon introduced the bill.

Mexico's constitution bans most private and foreign involvement in the oil industry, although Pemex subcontracts some work to private players.

The bill would let Pemex pay bonuses to private companies but not have a share of the oil profits.

Lopez Obrador said the bill aims to privatise Pemex, allowing Mexico's oil revenues, which provide for nearly 40% of the national budget, to go to private and foreign companies.

Calderon has repeatedly denied he plans to privatise Pemex.

Monday, 14 April, 2008, 20:20 GMT  | last updated: Tuesday, 15 April, 2008, 07:30 GMT

Reform protests: a member of the oppostion, dressed as an oil worker, takes part in the occupation of Mexico's Congress
 

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