A Tragedy That Unites and Divides: The Search for Solutions
The force of nature has left an indelible mark in the heart of Mexico. While the communities of Veracruz, Puebla, Hidalgo, San Luis Potosí and Querétaro rise with a resilience that inspires us all, they face the consequences of a historic flood. Unfortunately, this adversity has claimed the lives of at least 64 people, with another 65 whose loved ones hope to find them. Nearly 100,000 homes have been affected, a number that reminds us of the urgency of unified action and compassion. Amid this landscape, a necessary conversation arises about how, as a nation, we can build stronger, more effective support systems to protect our people. This moment is not about pointing, but about finding real and lasting solutions.
Solidarity shines even in the darkest moments. From the National Action Party (PAN), its leader, Jorge Romero, has raised his voice, declaring on his social networks: “The recent floods that have affected thousands of families are tragedies that do not distinguish colors or ideologies. In the PAN we are doing everything in our power to help those affected. Once again we raise our voices for the Fonden to return, with sufficient resources and real attention for each affected person.” This position, however, has found a firm response from the ruling party. Ricardo Monreal, head of Morena deputies, described these messages as “a political attitude,” urging not to use the misfortune for partisan purposes. This dialogue, although complex, is an essential part of our democracy and reflects the passion to find the best path forward.
The Current Mechanism: Immediate Action and Direct Support
Faced with the emergency, the Government of Mexico has deployed an operation based on two fundamental pillars. On the one hand, the Servants of the Nation brigades work tirelessly on the ground, carrying out censuses of the affected people to provide direct and tangible support. This support includes an economic cash allocation and the delivery of essential goods such as appliances and mattresses, seeking to alleviate the immediate burden on families. On the other hand, financial resources are being transferred directly to the municipalities so that they can quickly begin the critical infrastructure works necessary for recovery. As reported in the presidential press conference, there is a designated budget of 19,000 million pesos for the attention of these natural disasters, of which approximately 3,000 million are already in action, demonstrating a commitment to an agile response.
But the question that resonates in analysis circles and in society is: is this the most robust mechanism in the long term? Experts in public spending and risk management offer valuable perspective. Jorge Eduardo Cano, coordinator of the Public Expenditure Program at the prestigious study center México Evalúa, presents a forceful analysis: “If Fonden and its rules were in force, 28,000 million pesos would have been allocated this year, 9,000 more than what was allocated.” This figure is not just a number; represents a significant gap in the response and reconstruction capacity. The previous system established by law a minimum annual capitalization, creating a financial cushion specifically designed for crises of this magnitude.
Looking Towards the Future: Lessons Learned and Prevention
The disappearance of the Natural Disaster Fund (Fonden) is seen by many specialists as a turning point. Cano does not hesitate to describe it as “a setback of more than 30 years in financing and prevention of natural disasters”. The essence of the Fonden was its nature of preventive savings: an account that was nourished year after year, accumulating resources to be used exclusively when tragedy struck. At the time of its extinction, this trust had accumulated around 35,000 million pesos, a fund that could potentially be making a crucial difference today.
The administration of President Andrés Manuel López Obrador based the decision to eliminate Fonden on the fight against corruption, arguing that it had become a “nest of corruption.” It is undeniable that various audits identified irregularities in the execution of projects, a reminder that transparency must be the cornerstone of any system. However, it is crucial to highlight that these irregularities were predominantly located in the management of resources by the states, rather than in the central management of the trust. This nuance opens the door to a powerful reflection: instead of dismantling a protection mechanism, the approach could be oriented toward strengthening, supervision and shielding against bad practices.
Recent history, from Hurricane Otis in Acapulco to these devastating floods, is providing us with invaluable lessons. It teaches us that prevention and preparation are as important as the immediate response. It reminds us that the debate should not be about the past, but about how we build a safer and more resilient future for all Mexicans. The nation’s energy must be focused on creating a hybrid system that combines agility in response with the financial strength of a specialized fund, ensuring that every peso allocated to civil protection yields its maximum. Unity, empathy and the willingness to learn and improve are our most powerful assets to transform adversity into an opportunity for collective growth.
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