At the IPN book fair, Semo called for “revolutionizing minds and consciences.”

▲ From left, Enrique Semo, Jaime Ortega, and Rafael Barajas, at the editorial meeting. Photo by María Luisa Severiano

Fabiola Palapa Quijas

La Jornada Newspaper, Sunday, June 29, 2025, p. 4

Enrique Semo, a specialist in Mexican economic history, called on all of us who are in favor of the Fourth Transformation to also carry out the revolution of minds and consciousness in the style of the Mexican Revolution that gave us revolutionary nationalism .

During the presentation of his works The Mexican Left in Its Labyrinth 1974-2024 and The Battles for History and Socialism, at the National Polytechnic Institute's International Book Fair, held at the Jaime Torres Bodet Cultural Center, the historian emphasized that the 4T is the conquest of consciences, and we have millions of intellectuals in the country.

Semo, who has witnessed events throughout the 20th century and part of the 21st, recounted Mexico's struggles to transform its society and the events in the Middle East.

“In the world we live in, where the monster of nuclear war looms before us, it is opportune to recall the memory of 1968. That was a memorable year. Scholarly youth around the world rebelled against the established order, the dominant culture, discriminatory values, patriarchal morality, and authoritarian governments.

'68 opened the door to new movements that shape the world to this day: feminism, anti-racism, the fight against war and global warming, respect for indigenous communities and migrants , the historian said.

Regarding the events between Russia and Ukraine, Semo indicated that this conflict is dragging on without any sign of a solution because the European Union countries need an excuse to rearmament. The interests of the major powers are in direct conflict, and we cannot predict what the outcome will be .

He also mentioned that the pretext that Iran possesses atomic weapons reminds us of the bloody case of Iraq in 2003 in which the United States claimed that Saddam Hussein had weapons of mass destruction without ever being able to prove it and started a war that cost hundreds of thousands of lives .

For the theorist and activist, the current scenario is much more complicated and the effects of a local war in that part of the world are unpredictable .

Regarding his book , The Mexican Left in Its Labyrinth 1974-2024, he commented that it is a testament to the achievements of a left that knew how to constantly reinvent itself despite defeats, errors, and frustrations.

Jaime Ortega, a research professor in the Department of Politics and Culture at the Autonomous Metropolitan University of Xochimilco, participated in the presentation. He noted that our country has a history of revolutions: "If there is a nation in Latin America founded on revolutions, it is Mexico. Our people and nation were built on revolutions, and that advances the future not of a country, but of the very meaning of humanity, as centuries of history have shown ."

He added that much of the socialism in this country has one foot in the Mexican Revolution and vice versa, and this entered into crisis around 1965 .

In his speech, poet and writer José Ángel Leyva mentioned that the two volumes of Semo's selected works, published by the Autonomous University of Mexico City and the Center for the Study of the Labor and Socialist Movement, provide an insight into the reality they portray . Furthermore, the author reflected his critical perspective and his militant and historian's perspective.

In his turn, Rafael Barajas, El Fisgón, emphasized that much of what the left has achieved and much of what it has been able to advance is due to the consistency and struggle of Semo and his generation. I am convinced that he is one of the most important ethical and intellectual figures of the Mexican left .

▲ The official visited the Musaem in the context of the 36th anniversary of the facility. Photo by Irene Sánchez

Irene Sánchez

Correspondent

La Jornada Newspaper, Sunday, June 29, 2025, p. 4

Mazatlán, Sinaloa, The National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) will promote attractive projects to make museums and archaeological sites in Sinaloa more accessible to locals and more popular with tourists, said Director General Diego Prieto.

To mark the 36th anniversary of the Mazatlán Archaeological Museum (Museam), the head of the INAH inaugurated the temporary exhibition "Codices of Mexico" and the glyptodont fossil, one of the three most complete paleontological specimens in existence in Mexico, located in the municipality of Elota.

Diego Prieto noted: "It's been 36 years of work, not just seen in the museum's display cases or on its walls, but the efforts of those who work there. I congratulate everyone for their achievements based on research, conservation, and social awareness of the cultural heritage of Mazatlán, the Sinaloa coast, and the Pacific Ocean ."

He added that the INAH will promote more temporary exhibitions such as the Codices of Mexico, which will be on display for three months. These are facsimile versions of ancient Mexican codices, such as the Cruz-Badian, Dresden, Tonalámatl of Aubin, Boturini , and Mendocino.

He noted that these documents represent one of the most important sources on the country's ancient cultures, as well as memories of the scientific and artistic development of the indigenous peoples, since they preserve and conserve their identity and ancestral wisdom .

Regarding the glyptodont, he referred to it as the most important paleontological discovery for Sinaloa and Mexico, as it is one of only three specimens in the country and the most complete.

He explained that this new material is intended to help the Museum grow, and for this, support and funding not only from the INAH, but also from local communities and the Friends of the Museum board of trustees are important.

He mentioned that the INAH will continue working on archaeological, historical, ethnological, and ethnographic research with the vision of conducting comprehensive work that incorporates biocultural heritage, a priority of President Claudia Sheinbaum, without neglecting living cultures. Therefore, they are coordinating with the Ministry of Culture to promote intangible heritage.

Prieto Hernández said he was happy to be in Mazatlán because there is much to do, both in archaeological research and in the preservation of the historic center, and there are ancient cities throughout the state.

He added that they will support research on indigenous peoples, particularly the Yoreme and Mayo ethnic groups, who are not always sufficiently appreciated but who have symbolic and cultural importance.

He added that, in the case of Guasave, support for the archaeologist requesting the recovery of the heritage located in the United States will be reviewed with the INAH technical secretary.

The INAH director visited the Labradas area, saying it will be further boosted with a sound management plan to increase visitation.