Why Mexico for the G20? - 13abc.com Toledo (OH) News, Weather and Sports

It's a really great question – why Mexico?

Mexico is an emerging market. Because of the success of NAFTA and the integration of Mexico into the North American economy, Mexico has made progress. It's enough progress for world leaders to choose to come here to talk about the economy.

There have been big increases in the standard of living overall, but there are still big issues.  Drug and crime problems plague many parts of the country.  There's poverty beyond the hotel walls. I've seen it, and I've met Pedro. He sells jewelry on the beaches. He told me two years ago he was making almost double what he makes now. He says nobody is spending extra cash.  "They offer me half of what I'm asking," Pedro explained.

Pedro needs to make at least 20 dollars a day to support his family. Sometimes he sells enough, sometimes he doesn't. Either way he still has to pay the man he buys the jewelry from.

"I try to pick new fashions that people will like but they sometimes still don't sell," he said. 

Pedro also had a second job at a bakery where he dropped off early morning deliveries. When the economy got worse, he lost that job. Now, he only sells jewelry.

There are many other people selling along the beach. They sell scarves, wooden statues, hats, and jewelry. Then there's water sport worker Martin Campos. His tough skin and surly attitude show he's been through a lot in the sun. He wants answers from the G20 leaders.

 "Our economy depends too much on USA. When USA is going down, we have to go down too," said Martin.

He's upset because the Mexican government won't allow him to run his water sport business on Monday and Tuesday when the G20 is in session. It's a security issue, but I can see why he's angry. He works only on commission and has no salary.

 "10 years ago when this place was in the best times we had many people coming from USA and from Europe but now, no more," said Martin.

We're all connected in this world economy. When we succeed, so do people like Pedro and Martin. That's what world leaders meeting here in Los Cabos Mexico are trying to promote.