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The Aztlan Protocol
Chapter Three
Mexico City
Gilberto Hinojosa sat soaking up the sunshine on his veranda. The
breakfast room, enclosed in glass, was warm and comfortable even on a
cool autumn morning. Mexico City is one of the highest capitals in the
world, despite its latitude; the altitude gives the city a temperate feel in
the early hours of the day. Gilberto Hinojosa was in the habit of eating a
breakfast of Papaya with fresh coffee, at six forty each morning,
following a short routine of exercise. The only daily opportunity he has to
read, and catch up on the news, both political and business, from around
the world. Once the journey to work began, he would not have another
moment he could call his own, for the rest of the day. He was lucky if he
got home much before midnight most evenings.
As he ate his breakfast, Gilberto Hinojosa was reading an article,
by Miguel Fernandez, the editor of El Economista on the relationship
between Mexico and the United States.
‘The United Mexican States, the official name for Mexico, is now
the fifth largest economy in the world. For the last two centuries, the
United States’ dominance of the entire North American continent has
been unquestioned. Now Mexico has emerged as a major regional power
itself. For two decades, Mexico has rivaled China as a magnet for foreign
investment. Billions of dollars continue to flow into car plants, aerospace
and electronics manufacturing; the energy, mining and agricultural
sectors have also attracted global investors. Our middle class has money
to spend. Mexico now has a large economy along with a youthful,
educated, population and a rising standard of living. Always suppressed,
Mexican nationalism has witnessed a renaissance.
Copyright © Aldéric Au 2014
The Aztlan Protocol
The original Maquiladoras have over three decades, evolved into
high technology manufacturing clusters. The expanding economy has
stemmed, even reversed, the flow of Mexican emigration.
The United States has many immigrant ethnic groups. However,
Mexicans behave differently from other groups. We have retained our
links to the homeland. We have settled mostly in California, Arizona,
New Mexico and Texas, transforming the cultural character of the
Southwest United States. Combined with Mexico’s own economic and
demographic strength, this has led to a slow but remorseless shift in the
balance of power.
Mexicans are once again the dominant demographic and cultural
influence across the Southwest United States.’
Gilberto Hinojosa considered the journalist’s editorial, in the
context of the increasing frustration with the status quo in the
Southwest United States. A majority of Mexican-Americans wanted
unfettered movement between the two countries for family reasons.
Tensions had continued to grow to such an extent that a critical mass of
Mexican-Americans regarded themselves as a separate entity within the
U.S., linked to and part of Mexico itself, but under foreign occupation.
Annexation movements flourished among the young. The authorities on
both sides struggled to control the border. Non-Mexican-American
citizens viewed the radicalization of the young in the Southwest U.S.
with increasing alarm.
The recurring political battles between Washington and Mexico City
had become increasingly bitter. Both sides had made it clear that neither
desired conflict. Successive Mexican presidents had in effect become the
voice of all Mexicans and negotiated on behalf of American citizens of
Mexican origin within the United States. Dual citizenship encouraged this
sense of belonging, with many Mexicans living in the U.S. voting in
Mexican presidential elections. The recognition of a distinct nation living
Copyright © Aldéric Au 2014
The Aztlan Protocol
within the U.S. had been inevitable, with no chance of a return to the
status quo.
The politics of the Southwest made any effective immigration
control impossible. For decades, Congress had lurched from one
amnesty to another without achieving any fundamental reform. The
blocking vote of Mexican-Americans had prevented any serious
measures to control the southern border. Such platforms were electoral
suicide.
Twenty-one million undocumented Mexican-American residents
seemed to defy a sensible compromise, as they increasingly demanded
the removal of restrictions on their movement back and forth.
Gilberto Hinojosa’s own forebears dispossessed through a process
of larceny, corruption and legal abuse and eventually forcibly removed
from the United States; he cared deeply about the issue. Members of the
original Mexican population had seen their property stolen as the
American colonists settle and eventually annexed territory. He made a
note to contact Miguel Fernandez. A graduate of one of Gilberto
Hinojosa’s scholarship programs in California, he was another voice
calling for change.
The corner of Gilberto’s eye flashed. He put down the screen he
was reading. He looked at the green button, and the call connected. He
was still not adept at using the new eyepiece. The retinal lenses with
their ability to display information directly to the eye were the latest
technology from one of his exciting bioelectronics companies.
“Yes,” said Gilberto.
The clipped English voice at the other end was to the point.
“The problem has been dealt with as agreed. The girl was not
harmed as instructed.”
The Englishman’s tone made it clear he was unhappy. Leaving
witnesses broke all the rules. For the last twenty-three years, he had
carried out these assignments with unquestioning reliability and they
Copyright © Aldéric Au 2014
The Aztlan Protocol
paid very well. It afforded him a lifestyle he would not be able to achieve
on the more conventional services his company provided.
The call ended with none of the usual courtesies. Gilberto Hinojosa
liked to keep his conversations short with the caller.
A small wrinkle appeared at the edge of Gilberto’s mouth. An
unsuppressed expression of satisfaction at the news he had just
received. A traitor to the cause liquidated, a threat removed.
He picked up his screen and checked the news pages. It had not
made the international news feeds. However, a confirmation did appear
on regional U.S. reports. He checked another Texas feed, and it was the
lead local story.
Gilberto Hinojosa moved down his contact list with his left eye and
selected the name.
The number did not connect as he hesitated. He tried again
moving his eye along the name carefully.
The second attempt worked.
“Buenos Dias.”
“Have you heard the news?”
“Yes, of course, it is the top story this morning, as you can
imagine.”
“That means there will be an election.”
“Yes, it will be at the next congressional election in November
2034. It is too late this year. Primaries have to be held first to select the
candidates.”
“You will have to make a temporary appointment to fill the
vacancy until a special election. Who are you considering?”
“Javier Martinez, Luis Garcia, and Paul Johnson are the leading
candidates.”
“Paul Johnson would be unsuitable,” said Gilberto in a rather too
perfunctory manner.
“He’s very popular.”
Copyright © Aldéric Au 2014
The Aztlan Protocol
Gilberto frowned. The governor was not normally one to question
his suggestions.
“He is not one of us and cannot be relied upon,” said Gilberto
firmly.
There was a pause as the governor considered his reply.
The power of super PAC contributions for the governor’s reelection campaign no doubt came to the fore in his mind as he framed
his response. “Either Martinez or Garcia, would be popular United States
Senate appointments to fill the vacancy caused by the...,” he could not
quite bring himself to say, murdered. The news was too fresh, the facts
still uncertain.
Gilberto was satisfied he could rely on a quick and speedy decision
for one of the other two candidates. Either candidate would do. He had
funded both in the past and their record of accomplishment in office was
good. Either would further the interests of the Mexican-American
community in Texas.
Gilberto thanked the governor for his time and terminated the call
with a perfunctory, “Gracias, chao.”
“Que huevos!” he muttered to himself. Gilberto was not a man
used to a questioning tone, not even from a United States governor.
Gilberto sat silent for a moment in reflection. He did not usually
allow business conversations to intrude during breakfast. However, he
preferred to make these calls in private.
He selected another name. It connected immediately. This
technology was OK, when mastered, he thought fleetingly.
“Bueno.”
“How are the campaigns going?”
“Well.”
“Is there anything you need?”
Copyright © Aldéric Au 2014
The Aztlan Protocol
“No. We have plenty of volunteers, we have allocated the budget;
a small surplus remains. The candidates’ campaigns are going well. We
have grabbed all the best advertising. It should be a clean sweep.”
“I want you to do some advertising for Javier Martinez and Luis
Garcia as choices for Senator, something subtle, the governor will have
to appoint someone. I would like it to be one of them.”
“No problem.”
“Excelente,” said Gilberto before ending the conversation.
Gilberto smiled to himself. Rules require that super PACs operate
independently of their favored politicians. That suited Gilberto just fine.
It served his political aims to have Republican radicals, unelectable
conservatives; standing against serious, moderate Mexican-Americans,
normally Democratic Party candidates. There was no doubt in his mind
the next Senator to serve Texas in Washington would be a MexicanAmerican. The candidate, appointed by the governor, would also have a
wealthy Super PAC’s backing to ensure they retained that position at the
election in 2034, if they proved to be a competent incumbent.
Señor Gilberto Hinojosa, the second richest man in the world,
according to Fortune magazine, was not a regular feature in the business
press. He protected his privacy tenaciously. A devout catholic and
generous philanthropist he eschewed a public persona. As chairman and
owner of Texcoco Industries his commercial empire was global in scale,
but firmly rooted in Mexico and the Southwest United States. For a
multi-billionaire, he had a surprisingly modest lifestyle. Houses and
estates were located based on his business travel requirements. His
health, like anyone over fifty, required increasing care and attention. He
was careful to take regular exercise and tried, with only modest success,
to control his diet. Unlike many men of his age and means, he did not
own a yacht or keep a mistress. His passion was his business. His love
was his family and country, Mexico.
Copyright © Aldéric Au 2014
The Aztlan Protocol
He took a last sip of coffee before leaving the table and heading in
from the sunny veranda.
It was 07.19 hours, and time to head off to his first appointment
of the day.
His housekeeper dressed in a crisp white uniform, waited in the
hall, smiling as she opened the door. He smiled in return and thanked
her for breakfast. She had been with the family a long time. She was an
excellent cook with a friendly disposition and very discrete. His wife and
daughter were not out of bed yet as he stepped onto the porch.
The chauffeur was already behind the wheel waiting. The
Mercedes engine was running as he descended the stairs and across the
gravel to the door held open by his close protection officer.
“Change of plan I am afraid,” he announced as he approached.
“Straight to the Avenida Marina Nacional this morning please.” said
Gilberto Hinojosa as he settled in his seat. His chauffeur acknowledged
the instruction as the protection officer slid smoothly into his seat in the
front and the two exchanged a glance.
Gilberto tapped his cell, keying a brief text to Miguel Fernandez;
‘congratulations enjoyed your article very much.’
The gates closed behind as the car edged out onto a quiet
residential street and headed towards Paseo de la Reforma.
Copyright © Aldéric Au 2014