Leticia Neria PhD thesis - Research@StAndrews:FullText ...

Rosal, for decades and had no way to complain about his abusive regime until they are
visited by an inspector.
Thus, Mexican society was excluded from political life, and during the 1960s,
the idea of democracy and the claims for greater inclusiveness gained currency,
especially among the younger generations. But after the massacre in 1968, and another
in 1971, many felt that change through the existing political system was impossible.
Instead, some joined armed movements, including rural and urban guerrillas. 46 For
others still, it was through cultural expression and the flowering counterculture
movement that they discovered a way to show disagreement. 47
Luis Echeverría Ávarez became president of Mexico on 1 December 1970. Like
Díaz Ordaz, he had developed his political career in the PRI for many years, and was
the Home Secretary under his predecessor. Because of that position many blamed him
for orchestrating the massacre in Tlatelolco. 48 Echeverría understood that he had to find
the way to change perceptions of the authoritarian regime but without losing power. 49
His answer was to promote the apertura democrática, understood as ‘free dialogue,
self-criticism, freedom of expression, reforms oriented toward certain segments of the
46 Aguayo, La charola… p. 119.
47 The Mexican countercultural movement began in the late 1950s and was popular during the 1960s and
1970s. José Agustín, La contracultura… p. 37. During the 1970s, the establishment opposed some of their
cultural expressions, such as literature which showed the dissatisfaction of youth. José Agustín,
Tragicomedia mexicana 2… p. 68 and José Agustín, La contracultura en México… p. 129.
48 Luis Echeverría was the first Mexican president to go before a jury when he was accused in 2006 of
genocide because of the events of 2 October 1968. Francisco Gómez, ‘Llevarán a juicio a Echeverría por
el 68; enfrentará cargo por genocidio, El Universal, 30 November 2006, section México.
[accessed 1 August 2010]. Nevertheless, he was
acquitted three years later due to the lack of evidence. Pablo Ordaz, ‘Absuelto de genocidio el ex
presidente Luis Echeverría’, El País, 28 March 2009, section Internacional.
[accessed 1 August 2010]
49 Loaeza, ‘México, 1968: los orígenes…’ p. 19.
50