Working as a police officer in Mexico-Chapter 1775 - 788: Transformation! (Part 2)

Chapter 1775 -788: Transformation! (Part 2)

“This project is not a whim of Prime Minister Casare, nor is it something I, Bramo, am doing for political achievement. This is a national strategy personally decided by the Leader. What does it mean? It means that this is not a multiple-choice question that we may or may not do; it is a must-answer question that must be done, and done well.”

He turned around, his gaze sweeping over each person’s face: “The Ministry of Power’s technology is lagging? Then go learn! Hire people! Not enough foreign exchange? Find a way! Equipment from the Communication Department is under embargo? The embargo list is dead, but people are alive! Can’t bypass Europe? Find another route! After the disintegration of the Soviet Union, how many experts from Ukraine and Belarusian research institutes are unemployed? How many precision optical enterprises in East Germany are selling off assets at low prices?”

Bramo’s voice gradually rose: “Tight finances? Then reprioritize! Which projects can be postponed? Which expenses can be saved? Traditional infrastructure needs to be developed, but investments for the future are even more necessary! As for those seventeen household employees—”

He looked at the representative from the Labor and Social Security Department: “Tell them, once the park is completed, they will be given priority for the first batch of training and employment slots. If they are still not satisfied, then have the union chairman come to talk to me, but let me remind you, the ruling party in Mexico didn’t come to power through the ballot box.”

The meeting room fell silent.

Bramo’s words were blunt: This is Victor’s order. If you don’t do it well, you may not keep your position.

“One week.”

Bramo raised one finger, “I’m giving you all one week. The Ministry of Power will present a detailed implementation plan and budget for the smart grid, with precision to each kilometer of line and each transformer. The Communication Department will come up with three procurement plans for specialized fiber optics, including legal channels, gray channels, and backup plans. The Treasury Department will re-evaluate the annual budget and list projects that can be adjusted. The Labor and Social Security Department will solve the relocation problem for those seventeen households, regardless of method.”

He paused: “Next Wednesday at 2 p.m., right here, I expect to see progress. If any department still can’t present a feasible plan, I will directly suggest to the Leader to replace them with someone who can get things done.”

The meeting ended in a tense atmosphere.

The officials hurriedly left, none looking pleased. Bramo knew that after going back, these people would surely report to the forces behind them. Those vested interest groups in traditional industries, those bureaucrats accustomed to procrastination, wouldn’t easily comply.

But he didn’t have time for slow negotiation.

At 3 p.m. on Friday, the president of the Petroleum Industry Association, Eduardo Salinas, and the chairman of the Traditional Manufacturing Alliance, Rodrigo Mendoza, appeared punctually in Bramo’s office.

Both were around sixty years old, Salinas short and plump with a merchant’s smile always on his face; Mendoza was tall and stern, with the stubbornness of an old-fashioned industrialist.

When Victor came to power, he couldn’t kill them all.

These people had sided with him a long time ago; they were patriots!

So naturally, after Victor came to power, they maintained authority within their own domains.

Like… cough, cough, cough (figure it out yourself!)

“Mr. Advisor, thank you for taking the time.” Salinas greeted warmly, while Mendoza nodded politely. 𝒇𝓻𝓮𝓮𝙬𝙚𝒃𝒏𝓸𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝓬𝓸𝒎

“Please, have a seat.”

Bramo signaled his secretary to serve coffee and sat behind his desk, getting straight to the point, “I have reviewed the written materials you both submitted. The Petroleum Association is concerned that the new energy policy will impact crude oil exports, and the Manufacturing Alliance is worried the tax incentives will lead to unfair competition. I would like to hear your more specific concerns.”

Salinas and Mendoza exchanged a glance.

“Advisor Bramo, you’re a sensible man.”

Salinas spoke first, his smile unchanged but his tone serious, “What is the economic backbone of Mexico? Oil! Forty percent of foreign exchange income comes from crude oil and petrochemical products. How many people do we support? Over two million in direct employment, and over five million indirectly. Now the government wants to aggressively support solar and wind energy, and develop a smart grid—this is essentially digging up the foundation of the oil industry.”

“I’m not against technological advances, but everything should have its limits. If the government invests all its limited funds into those ‘future industries,’ leading to insufficient investment in oil exploration and development, and aging refinery equipment, the loss will be national fiscal revenue. Not to mention, how many government departments are supported by the tax revenues paid by the oil industry?”

Mendoza followed, “Manufacturing is the same. We produce auto parts, home appliances, building materials, employing tens of thousands of workers. Currently, the government plans to offer those ‘high-tech companies’ a five-year tax exemption, provide subsidized loans, even free land—is that fair? We in traditional enterprises must pay high taxes annually, comply with strict environmental standards, and bear heavy social security contributions. If new enterprises can enjoy so many benefits, who would want to engage in real industry?”

Bramo listened quietly, and only after they finished speaking did he slowly start, “President Salinas, the oil reserves of Mexico, at the current extraction rate, how many years can they still be drilled?”

Salinas was taken aback, “This… the proven reserves can last roughly fifty more years, if potential reserves are included…”

“And what about in fifty years?”

Bramo interrupted him, “Fifty years from now, when oil runs out, or the world no longer needs so much oil, what will Mexico rely on to survive? Will it still be possible to transition at that point?”

He turned to Mendoza, “Chairman Mendoza, the auto parts you produce, which car companies do they primarily supply to?”