When Vicente Fox won Mexico’s presidency on July 2, effectively ending seven decades of single-party rule, many wondered how he would tackle an even tougher challenge—this country’s vast and various environmental afflictions. Shortly before being sworn in this month, he gave us a hint: Victor Lichtinger. Named environment secretary, Lichtinger, the former executive director of the North American Commission for Environmental Cooperation (CEC), assumed office with Fox and the rest of his administration on Dec. 1. Like most members of the new cabinet, Lichtinger, 43, is not well known in political circles. Reaction to his appointment has ranged from optimistic to wary wait-and-see. Many praise Lichtinger for his four years as the first executive director of the CEC, the tri-national... [Log in to read more]
