14 DAY TRIAL // In order to prove his point and make an impact, Antonio Garcia Conejo, a Mexican Democratic Revolution Party member, got undressed in front of his fellow politicians and protested against the country's energy privatization bill.
The unusual demonstration took place just before the law's voting session and was meant to discourage members from agreeing with the new project. The vote concerned the country's state-run oil industry opening to foreign investors and allowed the current government to give interested parts licenses to explore and drill the oil and gas resources.
The special meeting had a few more hilarious moments, besides Garcia Conejo's underwear flashing session, as passionate debates and scuffles sent some lawmakers to the hospital. It may seem that the oil and gas resources are an important scandal issue in Mexico's Parliament.
The best moment of the meeting is the legislator's undressing session as it brought laughter and shock to viewers' faces. The PRD member addressed the audience from the podium in his black and red undies to symbolize Mexico's oil wealth undressing. In a figure of speech, the country will be left with almost nothing after foreign investors will abuse its resources.
Since 1938, the state-run oil company had a monopoly over the industry, and now law opponents fear that foreign investors, especially coming from the US, will dominate the field. Mexico is one of US' most important exporters and with its only measure of controlling the oil exports being voted off, the opponents fear their neighbors will once again regain dominance on their lands.
“The homeland is not for sale! The homeland is to be defended!” supporters of the state oil monopoly shouted while holding Mexican flags, notes Daily Mail. Even if Mr. Garcia took the stage and as a sign of protest shed his suit and tie speaking in his briefs, the bill passed.
“This is how you're [undressing] the nation. Where is the benefit? How shameful! But this doesn't embarrass me, you too, have a body!” the man shouted to his fellow politicians while illustrating his words. Even if people applauded and appreciated Garcia's unique performance, it still wasn't enough to stop the bill from passing.
Mexico's oil industry is severely declining and the only solution they found was to bring foreign investors to boost the country's energy sector. The new law is said to have some measures meant to predict, punish and avoid corruption or foreign domination, so it may actually help Mexico's economy.