From Puebla to Nevada—Restoring Economic Sovereignty for Every Family
Dear Friends,
As we gather this Cinco de Mayo, let’s remember that our celebration is more than just a commemoration of the Battle of Puebla. It is a powerful reminder of the courage and resilience that define our communities. The victory of Mexican forces over the French Empire in 1862 is not just a military triumph—it is a symbol of sovereignty and resistance against foreign intervention. Today, as I run to represent you in Congress for NVCD02, I am inspired by this spirit to propose a bold vision: economic reparations for Latinos, delivered through Universal Basic Income.
The Legacy of Intervention and the Debt of History
After Puebla, history did not stand still. The unjust debts imposed by the French Empire on Mexico forced generations into poverty. But the story did not end there. In the north, the United States’ Monroe Doctrine gave cover for decades of intervention in Latin America, destabilizing economies and uprooting millions of families.
The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, which ended the U.S.-Mexico War, was supposed to guarantee land and rights for Mexicans in the newly acquired territories. Instead, broken promises and discriminatory policies stripped countless Latinos of their property and opportunities. As historian Enrique Krauze and thinkers like Carlos Pereyra remind us, these injustices have never been fully addressed. Activists like Emma Tenayuca and Homer Brooks fought tirelessly to bring dignity and fair treatment to Latino workers—yet the economic wounds remain.
Why Reparations? Why UBI?
Just as the heroes at Puebla fought to defend their land and their future, we must address the legacy of lost sovereignty. Economic reparations are not charity—they are justice. A Universal Basic Income (UBI) would restore the dignity and self-determination that were denied to millions through war, intervention, and broken treaties.
In Nevada, this story is personal. Our state’s very soil was once part of Mexico. Our families have built the West through hard work and perseverance—the Bracero legacy lives on in every field and construction site. By implementing UBI as reparations, we honor that legacy and ensure that the descendants of those who built Nevada finally share in its wealth.
Turning History into Hope
Cinco de Mayo teaches us that resistance can win, and that dignity is worth fighting for. By establishing UBI-based reparations, we take a firm step toward healing the wounds of history—providing Latino and Mexican families with the financial foundation to thrive, right here in NVCD02.
Today, we celebrate the courage of those who said “No” to foreign domination. I’m running for Congress to carry that same spirit into our tax code and our social safety net. Let’s honor the victories of the past by winning new victories for economic justice.
From Puebla to Nevada: Restoring Economic Sovereignty for Every Family.
This Cinco de Mayo, let’s turn celebration into action: It’s time to pay the debt of history and build the promise of tomorrow.
In Solidarity,
Gamy Enriquez, MPA
Candidate for Congress, NVCD02
