About Mexico Studies: The Mexico Fact Book
The Mexico Studies Project is a long-term project that I started about eighteen-years ago when someone exclaimed to me, “What? Mexico has an air force!” Dumbstruck, I stammered, held my composure and simply responded, “Yes, Mexico indeed has an air force.” However, the episode got me thinking, do people not know the real Mexico? “You speak English!” uttered a girlfriend of the time forcing me to finally accept that people just don’t really understand the Mexico I personally know.

These events made me start a project I now call the Mexico Fact Book. Back then, the Mexico Fact Book was nothing more then a loose-leaf binder composed of reference materials, pictures and general studies about Mexico. Originally, the material covered the military and geo-political issues intended to show my friends and acquaintances that Mexico is more than sleepy siestas and beautiful beaches where beer flows endlessly.

The Mexico I know is the eleventh largest country in the world in terms of population, with a robust economy and an industry capable of competing with most of the world. And, yes, Mexico does indeed have an Air force! Mexico also boasts five of the world’s largest companies according to Fortune 500.

To my ex-girlfriend of the time, Mexicans do learn how to speak English and many other languages. We are educated in Mexico as well as in some of the world’s greatest institutions of learning. We, Mexicans can be found in most countries contributing to the world economy from mom-and-pop operations to the leaders of industry. Mexicans contribute to the arts and the cultures of many countries and have even fought wars to protect freedom, and yes, Mexico fielded a squadron and many men for the cause of the Allies in World War II.

Mexico has even sent an astronaut into space. Mexico, also maintains satellites in orbit all the while contributing supplies, resources and men to help other countries during their times of need, including the United States.

Recently the debacle of Andrés Manuel López Obrador, his shenanigans, and the issue of immigration have found me discussing Mexico more and more with associates and friends. However, what really galvanized me into creating this site is a comment I recently heard, “There is 90% unemployment in Mexico City!”

Ninety percent! Wow, unbelievable a number that just doesn’t make logical sense was being thrown about by so-called Mexico pundits to people who have become so sanitized to negative stereotypes about Mexico that the illogical number must have been true. Let see, the largest or second largest city in the world, depending on whom you ask has 90% unemployment. Let’s take this number for a moment and think about it. There are over 9 million people in Mexico City. If we were to accept the number of unemployed then it would mean that less than 1 million people support the other 8 million. Looking at it this way it is obvious that the 90% was obviously wrong.

After further discussion, it became apparent that the actual intent was to say that 90% of those looking for a job couldn’t find one. Even that number doesn’t make logical sense to me, but let’s explore this a little further. Where would someone get this kind of data and how would you quantify it to allow us to have a logical discussion on the issue? The problem with people that I call malinchistas (Mexicans who love to denigrate Mexico rather than help it grow) is that they exaggerate the truth and when that fails, outright lie to get their agendas across. Forget how they hurt people and forget the truth, all they want is to serve their own selfish purposes. Andrés Manuel López Obrador is one such individual, a traitor to the Republic.

I wanted to provide myself with an easy to reach Fact Book about Mexico while at the same time express my opinion about issues facing Mexico. Web 2.0, the latest iteration of the Internet gave me the perfect opportunity to continue my outdated project and have an open and public discussion about my country. Mexico Studies is the latest version of the project I started almost eighteen-years ago. Mexico Studies is a hybrid Blog and Wiki sharing facts about Mexico and discussing the issues it faces today and tomorrow.

This is a work in progress. In the next few months, I will be putting up the volumes of data I have compiled and continue to compile as well as commenting on the latest news from Mexico. I ask for your patience, as this is a hobby that needs to be balanced with the realities of making a living. However, it is also a labor of love. This online project is not intended as a defender of Mexican affairs, either internal or external, nor is it a trumpeting of how great the country is. Mexico is my mother country and as such, I will always honor it. But, I am not above understanding that like any other country in the world, Mexico has its faults and its triumphs. Rather, this online project is intended to be a fact sheet on Mexico and a place for honest discussion about the issues. Welcome, I hope to make the acquaintance of each of you as we debate and discuss the issues.

Martín Paredes