Mexico’s Regional Divide: A Tale of Two Countries

Web Editor

June 5, 2025

a photo of a man with glasses and a book cover of the book, the life of eric shobot, Avigdor Arikha,

Introduction

Mexico, a nation rich in diversity and contrasts, presents starkly different realities across its northern, central, and southern regions. Over the past few decades, the central and northern areas have evolved into more advanced export-oriented economies, while the south clings to outdated models that perpetuate poverty, political patronage, and feudalism.

The Central-Northern Mexico: A Tale of Progress and Insecurity

In the central-northern part of Mexico, a burgeoning middle class has emerged, eager to engage in an open and competitive economy. However, the southern region remains entangled in patronage systems and authoritarian traditions that perpetuate poverty and subservience, attempting to maintain cultural differences while simultaneously overcoming historical conditions of submission and exploitation.

The rise of organized crime across the nation has complicated matters in both regions. In the central-northern area, this criminal force has imposed violence and extortion as daily life, significantly hindering growth. Meanwhile, in the south, crime has reinforced exploitative mechanisms, turning the region into lawless territory.

Moreover, a flawed judicial reform has dismantled an already weak yet functional justice system, allowing the executive to exert control over the last independent state power. This has enabled criminal groups to impose their own laws in areas where they have installed their judges and magistrates.

The Judicial Reform Conundrum

This judicial reform presents a paradox: on one hand, it aims to create a subservient judicial power to the executive, while on the other, it fails to control legal spaces occupied by criminal groups during recent elections. This centralization of non-existent power in vast regions where the legitimate state has vanished is the core issue.

With the economy stagnant since the previous administration under AMLO, neither the modern north nor the archaic south can overcome their shortcomings in a lawless environment where institutions have long ceased to function.

A Future of Uncertainty

Mexico, having chosen a return to absolute presidentialism without the necessary tools, faces an uncertain future. The country is on the brink of chaos amidst a landscape where laws are not practiced, and institutions have failed.

Key Questions and Answers

  • What is the current state of Mexico’s economy? The economy has been virtually stagnant since the previous administration, with neither the modern north nor the archaic south capable of overcoming their challenges in a lawless environment where institutions have failed.
  • How has organized crime affected different regions of Mexico? In the central-northern area, organized crime has imposed violence and extortion as daily life, significantly hindering growth. In the south, crime has reinforced exploitative mechanisms, turning the region into lawless territory.
  • What are the implications of the recent judicial reform in Mexico? The judicial reform has dismantled the already weak justice system, allowing criminal groups to impose their own laws in areas where they have installed their judges and magistrates. This centralization of non-existent power in vast regions where the legitimate state has vanished is the core issue.
  • What challenges does Mexico face in the future? With a stagnant economy and failing institutions, Mexico faces an uncertain future. The country is on the brink of chaos amidst a landscape where laws are not practiced.