News briefs on Mexico

* Mexican Presidency Vicente Fox made another verbal gaffe last week by saying that he would be free to “say any nonsense” now that his presidency is coming to an end.

* A huge victory for homosexuals as Mexico City’s legislature voted to legally recognize gay civil unions. The law- which was fiercely opposed by conservatives, the Catholic Church, and members of President Fox’s political party- will allow gay couples access to inheritance and pension rights if they register their union with the local government.

* President-elect Felipe Calderon met with U.S. president Gorge W. Bush in Washington on Thursday and both admitted to speaking cordially about bilateral issues such as free trade and immigration. Calderon also met with leaders of the Democratic Party including Vermont governor Howard Dean (link in Spanish).

* California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger met with President Fox at Fox's official residence on Thursday and denounced a proposed 700-mile fence along the U.S.-Mexico border. Schwarzenegger’s trip will end today when he travels to the northern industrial and technological city of Monterrey.

Links- Reuters, Univision, CBS News, BBC News, KCBS, International Herald Tribune, the Latin Americanist (blog)

Image- LNX1070 Newsradio

Tags- Mexico, homosexuality, immigration, international economy