“He who governs less governs better.”
Lao Tse
In 1986 I met Francisco LabastidaMay 30th exactly, at the Astroleón, the first forum organized by the IEPES, was the launch of his campaign for governorin the afternoon a massive event in the Sinaloa Park. The Mayor of Topolobampo, Rodolfo Higuera had encouraged me to write a proposal to improve the conditions of our community, he did not tell me twice, I wrote the best I could with the feeling of a 23 year old girl who wanted to contribute ideas to change the reality of the beloved port. Ultiminio Félix and Maestro José Concepción Castro know well the facts that They gave me that reason for being.
Labastida He listened attentively in the forum, when I finished the emotion had gotten the better of me and I had water in my eyes. He stood up and went to where I was, we hugged each other, he told me that we would talk soon. Topolobampo It was one of the main projects in his idea of government. History brought him back to his city and state, circumstances that we will know because he will soon publish a book. In those years he was mentioned as Possible candidate for the Presidency of the Republic. De la Madrid opted for Carlos Salinas and the PRI made him a candidate some time later, before that they offered him Francisco the candidacy for government of Sinaloa. Outside the “center” he simply arrived, competed and won the election. I know that what I write will be read from different perspectives, what I lived in those years has returned to my memory and from my angle of vision and memories, its mark remains and is important.
I am convinced that Francisco Labastida does not need anyone to come to his defensehis actions in public service are obvious, but I cannot pretend that the Virgin is speaking to me or turn away when references transgress his passage through the history of Sinaloa and Mexico. When we get upset, it is human to disqualify those who bother us, we invade spaces that we do not know or we repeat what we have heard. In politics it is normal to have different opinions and those who participate actively should be willing to debate. The line of denigration towards his person calls my attention. I do not share it.
37 years ago, his government began. Those who know Topolobampo, my “Center of the Universe,” must remember the conditions it was in. The secondary school needed a new facility and it was built. There was an urgent need to build a public space that would bring the community together, and we had the cultural center. On the site where the plaza in front of the municipal building is now, we had the green lagoon, part of an estuary that received drainage water. You can imagine that with Labastida, the collectors were designed, the port deserved special attention and billions were allocated to modernize it, land was reclaimed from the sea, the estuaries “Los Conchos” and “La Curva” were filled in, the growth of the population area was favored, the network was expanded and the volume of drinking water was increased. There is an action that is worth the right of a society to have order. Labastida understood and attended to the need to establish legal ownership. People did not have deeds to their land and houses, only possession. I recognize and appreciate how practical he was, I am proud of his management for many reasons. He is a human being, of course he has defects and every right to make mistakes, that is how experience is formed, I am clear that I did not agree, but that is a pending discussion between two, it does not alter in any way my recognition of an exceptional Mochitense, a good governor of Sinaloa who knew and knows how to have a reason for being. The development project of Culiacán, the strength of the cultural identity, these and more issues can be addressed by his government action.
P.S. – Last Wednesday, life reminded me of the importance of forming a community, of not giving up and of doing everything possible to build a better world, whether we have one day or a century left to live. Thank you.
P.S. 2.- Please let’s not live as if nothing is happening!
More from the same author:
- Of parties and reforms
- … Hope dies last
- …Burning summer
#Labastida
