The University graduate favored to become Mexico's next president was assassinated Wednesday night during a campaign appearance in Tijuana. Luis Donaldo Colosio, who represented the Institutional Revolutionary Party in this year's election, received his master's degree in regional development from the University in 1977. Colosio received gunshot wounds to his head and upper body, was rushed to Tijuana General Hospital, and was pronounced dead at 11:10 p.m., three hours after he was shot. According to Mexico's Attorney General's office, the alleged gunman, Mario Aburto Martinez, 23, and his apparent accomplice, Vincente Mayoral Valenzuela, about 40, were arrested. The PRI, as Colosio's party is known by its Spanish initials, has been in power in Mexico since 1929. Colosio, having received the current president's endorsement, was virtually guaranteed a victory in the upcoming election. Had he lived to be elected, his main responsibility would have been the institution of the North American Free Trade Agreement. University administrators, faculty and alumni remembered Colosio fondly last night. "He was probably the most outstanding example of what we have tried to produce for our graduate students," Regional Science Chairperson Stephen Gale said. Though Gale never personally knew Colosio, he said Colosio gained a great deal from the Regional Science department. "The department is being closed this year, and one of the outstanding graduates that we had and one of the great symbols of the strengths of the department was Colosio," Gale added. Regional Studies emeritus professor Tom Reiner had Colosio as a student, and developed a close relationship with him. "Partly because he was from Latin America and I was a Latin America person in the department, we had a bit more together than just a random student," he said. "I've stayed in touch with him since then as well." Reiner added that he knew when he taught Colosio that "he was going to do well." "He was precisely the kind of material we are recognized for dealing with on issues of regional development and urbanization," he said. "I'm proud that our department had a role in his education and that he recognized that." A friend and classmate of Colosio's while both were University students said that Colosio, whose friends called him "Donaldo," was very "aristocratic and political." "It did not surprise any of us that he took the path into government which he did," said the friend, who said he wanted to remain unidentified to avoid involvement in the investigation of the "politically motivated assassination." He said Colosio was very well mannered, soft spoken, warm and "especially curious." "He was always looking forward to the future and working towards a goal," he said. "And he was always asking questions." Colosio's two favorite hobbies were listening to jazz and playing squash, said his classmate. Reiner said there were several possible motives behind the assassination. "Colosio was secretary of something like [the U.S.'s Housing and Urban Development Department]," he said. "One or another group may have felt bypassed because there are a huge number of projects in local communities which Colosio has dealt with. "He was also involved in environmental affairs, and it could have been someone against NAFTA and the environmental moves that were being made," Reiner added. He said the loss was a "personal shock as well as pretty tough on Mexico," because it will disrupt Mexico's stability. "I will miss the chance to see what someone like that could do, being put in a position to affect change in one of the world's poorer regions," he added. "It was an opportunity lost." And Colosio's friend and classmate said it was "sad." "We live in a world where an act of violence, whether planned or unplanned, can erase a lifetime of work?and can do away with so much good intention," he said. The Associated Press contributed to this story.
The Daily Pennsylvanian is an independent, student-run newspaper. Please consider making a donation to support the coverage that shapes the University. Your generosity ensures a future of strong journalism at Penn.
DonatePlease note All comments are eligible for publication in The Daily Pennsylvanian.
