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| Mexico deputies scuffle in chamber over energy bill | Mexico deputies scuffle in chamber over energy bill |
| (about 4 hours later) | |
| There have been scuffles in the lower house of the Mexican Congress as lawmakers discuss a controversial energy reform bill. | There have been scuffles in the lower house of the Mexican Congress as lawmakers discuss a controversial energy reform bill. |
| Landy Berzunza of the governing PRI party was taken to hospital with a scratched retina after an altercation with opposition MP Karen Quiroga. | Landy Berzunza of the governing PRI party was taken to hospital with a scratched retina after an altercation with opposition MP Karen Quiroga. |
| Another opposition MP, Antonio Garcia Conejo, stripped down to his underwear to show his rejection of the bill. | Another opposition MP, Antonio Garcia Conejo, stripped down to his underwear to show his rejection of the bill. |
| The bill aims to open Mexico's state-run oil fields to foreign investment. | The bill aims to open Mexico's state-run oil fields to foreign investment. |
| Historic bill | Historic bill |
| If passed, private firms will be allowed for the first time in 75 years to explore and extract oil and gas with state-run firm Pemex - and take a share of the profits. | If passed, private firms will be allowed for the first time in 75 years to explore and extract oil and gas with state-run firm Pemex - and take a share of the profits. |
| The measure had already been passed by the upper house, the Senate, on Wednesday. | The measure had already been passed by the upper house, the Senate, on Wednesday. |
| It then moved to the lower house for approval. | It then moved to the lower house for approval. |
| The Chamber of Deputies voted 354 to 134 to give general approval to the bill, but continued to debate hundreds of challenges brought by opponents to the law. | The Chamber of Deputies voted 354 to 134 to give general approval to the bill, but continued to debate hundreds of challenges brought by opponents to the law. |
| Throughout the debate, members of the opposition Democratic Revolution Party (PRD) tried to disrupt the proceedings to prevent the passage of the bill. | Throughout the debate, members of the opposition Democratic Revolution Party (PRD) tried to disrupt the proceedings to prevent the passage of the bill. |
| Some occupied the podium in the main chamber. | Some occupied the podium in the main chamber. |
| Others barricaded the chamber's entrances to prevent MPs from the PRI, PAN and Nueva Alianza parties, who back the reform, from entering. | Others barricaded the chamber's entrances to prevent MPs from the PRI, PAN and Nueva Alianza parties, who back the reform, from entering. |
| The debate was eventually moved to an alternative venue, where it got even more heated. | The debate was eventually moved to an alternative venue, where it got even more heated. |
| 'Ruffians' | 'Ruffians' |
| Left-wing lawmaker Ricardo Monreal took to the podium with a thermos can, saying it was a time capsule in which he would put the names of the "traitors of the fatherland" who had voted for the reform bill. | Left-wing lawmaker Ricardo Monreal took to the podium with a thermos can, saying it was a time capsule in which he would put the names of the "traitors of the fatherland" who had voted for the reform bill. |
| Mr Garcia Conejo of the PRD, while taking his jacket, tie and shirt off, said the governing party was robbing Mexico of its assets. | Mr Garcia Conejo of the PRD, while taking his jacket, tie and shirt off, said the governing party was robbing Mexico of its assets. |
| "This is how you're stripping the nation. Where is the benefit? I'm not ashamed, what you're doing is a shame!" he said as he dropped his trousers and removed his socks. | "This is how you're stripping the nation. Where is the benefit? I'm not ashamed, what you're doing is a shame!" he said as he dropped his trousers and removed his socks. |
| Shouts of "ruffians" and "traitors" could be heard throughout the debate, while some MPs made obscene gestures at others who had interrupted them. | |
| Members of the governing PRI party said the bill was crucial to drive Mexico's economy forward and to better exploit Mexico's oil riches. | Members of the governing PRI party said the bill was crucial to drive Mexico's economy forward and to better exploit Mexico's oil riches. |
| Oil production in Mexico has dropped from 3.4 million barrels per day in 2004 to the current rate of 2.5 million barrels per day. | Oil production in Mexico has dropped from 3.4 million barrels per day in 2004 to the current rate of 2.5 million barrels per day. |
| The bill is a key part of President Enrique Pena Nieto's drive to reform the Mexican economy. | The bill is a key part of President Enrique Pena Nieto's drive to reform the Mexican economy. |
| If the measure is passed by the Chamber of Deputies, it must then be approved by 17 of the country's 32 federal entities. | If the measure is passed by the Chamber of Deputies, it must then be approved by 17 of the country's 32 federal entities. |