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After Earthquake, Mexicans Vent Anger at Their Political Class

By David Agren

The civilian response to the Sept. 19 quake has drawn comparisons to a 1985 tremor that helped transform Mexican politics.

When Avelino Mendez, a local political leader, stopped by San Gregorio Altapulco to inspect the damage done by last week’s severe earthquake, he expected to find the southern Mexico City community grieving for its 13 dead.

They were mourning. But they were also irate, and chased the portly chief of the Xochimilco borough through the streets, pelting him with stones and insults.

“They treated him like a criminal,” said Sergio de los Santos, one of the farmers in the area, who grows greens like lettuce, spinach and herbs on artificial islands called chinampas.

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