Manuel Pérez-Rocha is an Associate Fellow of the Institute for Policy Studies in Washington and an Associate of the Transnational Institute (TNI) in Amsterdam. He is a Mexican national who has led efforts to promote just and sustainable alternative approaches to trade and investment agreements for two decades. Prior to working for IPS’ Global Economy Program, he worked with the Mexican Action Network on Free Trade (RMALC) and continues to be a member of that coalition’s executive committee. He also worked for the Make Trade Fair campaign of Oxfam International.

Manuel studied International Relations at the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), has a diploma on European Studies from the Autonomous Technological Institute of Mexico (ITAM) and holds a M.A. on Development Studies from the Institute of Social Studies (ISS) in The Hague, Netherlands. Some of his last publications include op-eds in The Nation and The New York Times.

Latest

Eight Fearless Mexicans

These movement leaders, artists, grass roots organizers, labor leaders, and clergy people are working in the front trenches of the struggle for human rights.

Open Letter to World Bank Officials on Pacific Rim-El Salvador Case

Pacific Rim is suing El Salvador for up to hundreds of millions of dollars under the U.S.-Central America Free Trade Agreement for not approving a mining license. Since Canada isn’t part of this agreement, Pacific Rim opened a subsidiary in Reno, Nevada.

Mining for Profits in International Tribunals

Corporate lawsuits against governments over resource rights continue to increase.

G20: Confusion Over the Characterization of the Current Crisis

This article is part of the presentations for the seminar “RMALC: 20 years resisting and building alternatives to free trade.” A summary in English is followed by the original Spanish version, including hyperlinks.

Shutdown The War Grant To Mexico That Has Cost $1.5 Billion; Save $600 Million!

The governments of the United States and Mexico are using large budget expenses to entangle us in the corrupt politics of arms deals.

Obama in Latin America: Another Missed Opportunity

What might have been a high-profile trip heralding a new U.S. partnership with Latin America based on equity and mutual interests turned out to confirm the same old top-down approach to north-south relations.

Mexico’s Hot Money Challenge

NAFTA undercuts Mexico’s ability to control a sudden influx of volatile financial investment.

Global Solidarity is on the Rise for Mexican Workers Too

Like Egyptians, Mexicans need international solidarity to help move to a real democracy.

We Need to Rethink, Not Rearm NAFTA

While Canada and the US get ready to move bilaterally to beef up border security, we wonder who benefits from the proposed “security perimeter.”

Deal on U.S.-Korea Trade Would Expand Excessive Investor Protections

The White House’s proposed U.S.-Korea trade deal would expand corporations’ rights to bypass public interest regulations.

How about Saving all the Miners?

Mining endangers communities everywhere with safety hazards and environmental destruction.

Military Force Isn’t the Answer in Mexico’s Drug Wars

Calderon’s launching of the war against traffickers was like hitting a beehive with a stick–without a plan for what to do next.

Don’t Celebrate Mexico’s Independence…Yet

It is the 200th anniversary of Mexico’s independence and the 100th anniversary of its revolution. But the celebrations taking place this week are premature.

Mining for El Salvador’s Gold — In Washington

An international tribunal gives the green light to a lawsuit brought by two companies attempting to overcome strong public and government resistance to their destructive gold mining.

Misguided U.S. Economic Policies Drive Many Mexicans to Come Here

Most immigrants would prefer to stay at home with their families and live their own culture, eat their own food, and listen to their own music.

Troops to the Mexico Border

Obama’s military step up is bad news to migrant communities.

Calderon’s Visit to Washington

U.S.-Mexican relations might look at little different in the age of Obama, but the Bush-era priorities remain the same.

Urging Presidents Obama and Calderon to Address Human and Workers’ Rights Issues

They should seek to strengthen Mexican judicial and civilian institutions while creating jobs and education opportunities for the millions of those without decent jobs.

Hunger Strike in Defense of Work Begins in Mexico

The struggle of Mexican electricians, now converted into a hunger strike, is against the historic injustice that is worsening daily in the country, particularly under the present government.

Press Release: Mining for Profits

Transnational corporations are increasingly turning to international arbitration tribunals to resolve disputes over natural resource rights, a new report reveals.