September 23, 2005

Uncovering Mexico's Dirty War

The scholar Sergio Aguayo seeks the truth about his nation's history in government files and takes his quest for justice to the streets

By Marion Lloyd

Sergio Aguayo revels in exploring contradictions. He is a former gang member fighting for human rights. A left-wing academic who writes books with gringos. A scathing critic of Mexican politics who has run for office—twice.

When Mr. Aguayo labels his life as "schizophrenic," he is referring to more than his maneuvers outside the conservative halls of the elite College of Mexico, where he has held the post of research professor in international relations since 1977. He sees his