The The Hello and welcome to Behind the News my name is Doug Henwood

two guests as usual today we'll hear from the sociologist Edwin Ackerman about

Mexico's controversial president universally known as Amlo.

And then we'll hear from the historian Marsha Chatelain about the important but underappreciated role Black McDonald's franchisees

a place since the late 1960s.

First, Mexico. Andres Manuel Lopez Oberador, known as Amlo, has been president of Mexico since December 2018. He's a populist to his alarm the Mexican elite and the international financial markets who view him as irresponsible, even dangerous.

Amlo has been heavily criticized for its handling of the COVID-19 crisis,

but as you'll hear my guest

Edwin Ackerman defense his record. Mexico has the third highest number of

deaths for the disease in the world, though when adjusted for population it falls

to 13th. Better but hardly anything to brag about.

Edwin Ackerman is assistant professor of sociology at Syracuse University.

In the interview I mentioned the presidency of Carlos Salinas, a time of deeply corrupt

privatizations of state enterprises. Salinas, who is president of Mexico from 1988 to 94, and a god

in the neoliberal pantheon while in office arranged for political cronies

to get those assets at very favorable prices.

The most notorious was Carlos Slim, who got the state telephone company, Telmex, on very sweet terms, and it became the cornerstone

of his now 52 billion dollar fortune.

After leaving office, Salinas got wrapped up in scandal as his older brother was charged

with murder and theft of scores of millions of dollars.

He exiled himself to Ireland.

Salinas' public image in Mexico continues to be sub-basement level.

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