The people of Xilitla fighting against a corrupt government

All of the following information is based on communication

with people living here in Xilitla. I am not able to investigate all of this

information thoroughly with people from both parties; therefore,

it should not be viewed as an accusation of anyone in particular.

I want to share the information I have been given and the

things I am witnessing in Xilitla.

What is happening here in Xilitla is like a small war.
PAN supporters have essentially organized a small army of people
to work against the illegal efforts of PRI in the mayoral campaign.

PRI is supposedly paying the police, and the two main newspapers that
circulate in the region in order to gain their support and to ensure protection.
The information on my blog is not being publishes in the local newspapers.
Early this morning around 5:30am a group of "mapaches" found a truck with
bags of money, fake voting ballots and letters promising PRI votes with residents'
signatures. This truck is just one of many that are being found across the county
containing illegal voting materials, despensas and building resources. PRI is essentially
buying votes from residents, and PAN supporters are doing what they can to fight against the corruption. The people of Xilitla are tired of a corrupt government and have organized in a way that they can take control of the situation. Elections begin at 8am tomorrow morning and the "mapaches" are working throughout the night to stop the distribution of these illegal materials.

The following images are being used on Facebook against the PRI mayoral candidate and the current mayor.

Anti-PRI Facebook propaganda (anonymous)

Anti-PRI Facebook propaganda (anonymous)

Anti-PRI Facebook propaganda (anonymous)

"Mapaches"

Wednesday, June 27th was the last official day of the mayoral campaign in Xilitla. The same night, PAN supporters began organizing to prevent PRI from giving out food, money and building resources to residents. These resources are supposedly being distributed to sway votes before elections this Sunday July 1st. People across the county are setting up road blocks and searching vehicles to prevent the distribution of these resources. Mexican military and police are patrolling areas to prevent violence. Many residents are carrying guns and other weapons like bats and machetes for protection during confrontations between the opposing groups. Individuals giving out resources (from PRI) are being referred to as "mapaches," or racoons, because they work throughout the night. One week ago, a PAN supporter's son was kidnapped, but managed to escape in a nearby town. The reason and kidnapper are unknown, but this has posed a further threat to anyone participating in the campaign. Myself and others close to the Moran family are not allowed to leave the house in the final days before elections because of the dangers involved.

Residents in search of "mapache" vehicles (from PRI) containing despensas and other resources.

Most residents in search of "mapaches" wear cloth over their faces to conceal their identity during raids.

A group waiting for "mapaches" to pass through an intersection outside Xilitla.

  

PAN supporters are given hats with the candidate's name during a march to the plaza.

Spectators watch the final speech given by Moran from a church 

window overlooking the plaza in Xilitla.

After the final speech in Xilitla's plaza, the crowd

followed Moran for one final march around the town. Hundreds

of residents from across the county came to support

Moran in Xilitla for the last day of the campaign.

Campaign

The following photos are from the PAN, Partido Accion Nacional, 

mayoral campaign in the county of Xilitla, San Luis Potosi, Mexico.

Alfredo Moran is the PAN candidate, and has had
just 2 months to visit over 280 towns.

A majority of Xilita's residents are living in poverty and lack 

many basic resources. Town visits allow Moran to discuss his platform

and review problems specific to each area.

A couple in El Reten, SLP shows Moran a section of 

their home in need of repair. Many families were promised 

assistance with basic resources, but have not seen or spoken with

anyone during the current mayor's 3-year term.

Meeting held in a classroom for the small town of Moxco, SLP.

Moran's wife Erica Piedfort-Moran visits a family in need of medical assistance.

The son, 38 years old, has never seen a specialist for his condition.

He cannot walk or speak and lives on the floor both outside and inside the family's home.

The mother cares for him alone, with occasional help from her neighbors.

The son sleeps on the mat in the corner of this room.

Moran's supporters in Ahuacatlan, SLP.

Children carry water to their homes in La Gloria, SLP.

Piedfort-Moran visits houses to check on the status of

individuals with health conditions.

A child watches a meeting with Moran in Herradura, SLP.

A group of boys chase Moran's car down a long trail to Arroyo Seco, SLP.

A crowd welcomes Moran and Piedfort-Moran to Puerto de Belem, SLP.

Moran reviews residents' requests for assistance in Puerto de Belem, SLP.

Moran delivered a wheelchair to a father who has not been able to 

leave his home in over three years. Families across the county lack sufficient resources 

and medical assistance. Equipment such as wheelchairs are difficult to find

or too expensive for families living in impoverished conditions.

Children carry propaganda for Josefina Vasquez Mota

during a meeting in Moxco, SLP. Vasquez Mota is the first 

woman in Mexico's history to run for president.

Moran visits each house in El Reten, SLP to discuss his proposals with residents.

Residents of La Gloria, SLP look at the intersection of three states along a mountain range.

Resident of El Reten discusses neglect from local government.

A mother brings her 6-year daughter old to see an eye doctor at the 

PAN campaign office in May.  The child has extremely poor vision and had

never seen an eye doctor before.

The child receives her first pair of glasses one month later.

House visits in El Reten, SLP.

First meeting in the county's capital Xilitla.

Many families welcome the candidate into their homes with a meal 

in between Moran's speeches. "Some days you have to eat five or six times,

while others you don't get to eat at all," explained Moran.

Arroyo Seco, SLP

Several trucks of volunteers arrive in each town before

the candidate to set up banners, seating and music for campaign speeches.

Supporters meet Moran toward the end of each day to start a "carabana,"

a line of cars that drive back to Moran's home in Xilitla with campaign

music, honking and cheering. The carabana after this picture was taken 

included 252 cars. Carabanas are typically between 10pm and 12am

(at the end of the candidate's day). Spectators in the candidate's hometown wait outside

each night to show support. Some cars are decorated with PAN 

propoganda, while others have installed train and commercial truck horns.

PAN supporters hide under a banner as it rains during a meeting in Xiltla, SLP.

In front of the candidate's home in Xilitla, SLP.

Moran's supporters listen as residents talk about a brighter future for Xilitla.

Despite a strong following for Moran, many fear that the opposing

party may try to buy votes from residents. The current mayor is 

allegedly using public money to buy propaganda for the PRI candidate; 

some claim he is also using "dispensas," bags of food and gifts,

to sway voters before the elections July 1st.