Introduction
When political control in a country shifts from institutions to the unbridled will of a strong and effective leader, there’s a risk that succession in leadership may not maintain the same stability experienced under their predecessor. This is precisely what Mexico is facing today.
The Erosion of Democratic Institutions
López Obrador has successfully dismantled democratic institutions and replaced them with an executive branch wielding unlimited power. All checks and balances, along with negotiations—even with criminal groups—were passed on to his successor through a nonexistent transfer of command.
AMLO’s Continued Influence
Whether AMLO continues to operate from Palacio de San Cristóbal or his subordinates, such as Adán Augusto López and Ricardo Monreal, attempt to pursue their own agendas incompatible with the president’s project, the reality is that the mighty threads of the 4T have begun to tangle.
Power Disputes Among Morenist Politicians
While external pressure from the Trump administration has significantly contributed to shattering supposed agreements among Adán Augusto, Monreal, Ebrard, and even Noroña, the core issue lies in the absence of a single leadership to which politicians should adhere, unlike the previous administration.
Consequences of Power Struggles
The alleged connections between organized crime and AMLO’s government, the business ventures of the ex-president’s children, and Sheinbaum’s ambiguity regarding the urgent need for internal order within her movement have unleashed a storm of conflicting interests threatening to destroy the fragile balance in a country plagued by violence and the erosion of the rule of law.
Historical Parallels
This situation mirrors the final year of Carlos Salinas’ presidency, when political assassinations fractured the tricolor political class and led Mexico into an economic disaster that took years to recover from, leaving many citizens jobless and impoverished.
The Perilous Path Mexico Treads
For several years, Mexico has walked a precarious path without significant economic growth or substantial reduction in nationwide insecurity. The power struggle within the 4T has turned into a destructive force capable of obliterating everything, including loyalty to the founding leader.
A Warning from History
Paraphrasing one of the individuals involved in Mexico’s 1994-1995 catastrophe, “the demons are loose, and they have triumphed.”
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the main issue in Mexico’s political landscape? The erosion of democratic institutions and the unbridled concentration of power in the hands of a single leader, AMLO, have created an environment ripe for internal power struggles and instability.
- How have these power dynamics affected Mexico’s stability? The lack of a unified leadership and the pursuit of individual agendas have led to conflicting interests, threatening the fragile balance in a country already grappling with violence and the erosion of the rule of law.
- What historical parallels can be drawn from this situation? The current power struggles within Mexico’s political landscape echo the final year of Carlos Salinas’ presidency, marked by political assassinations and an economic crisis that destabilized the nation.
