Introduction
In Mexico, one of the primary tools of power lies in the spoken word. The ability to obscure or distort reality hinges on a politician’s capacity to convince citizens with a compelling narrative that twists facts and portrays them as positive, shirking responsibility in the face of undeniable failures.
The Línea 12 Metro Tragedy
The tragic collapse of the Línea 12 in Mexico City, a chain of blunders, corruption, and negligence involving the last three capital administrations (Ebrard, Mancera, and Sheinbaum), ultimately became an “incident” where no one was held accountable for lives lost, and no one was declared responsible.
The strength of the narrative emanating from power relies heavily on the credibility of its source. The 4T and the President can refer to “displaced cranes” when heavy machinery collapses, or describe widespread violence as a “natural consequence” of the “realignment of armed groups” across the nation.
The Power of Authoritarian Language
If these statements, which aim to simplify reality, are deemed credible by the majority of Mexicans, it’s because the word of Sheinbaum or López Obrador has transformed into a divine, unquestionable message imbued with faith-like qualities that cannot be refuted, even by verifiable reality.
Authoritarian language operates under the assumption that the truth is whatever the charismatic leader proclaims, rendering any criticism or opposing viewpoint inherently false and illegitimate. This logic mirrors totalitarian regimes like Hitler’s Germany, Mussolini’s Italy, or Stalin’s Soviet Union. Similarly, the populist movements of Perón in Argentina and Chávez/Maduro in Venezuela fall into the same category.
The Rise of Populist Authoritarianism in Mexico
Since December 2018, the prevalent political language in Mexico has been that of a new populist authoritarianism, which not only hinders coexistence among diverse worldviews but also obstructs the creation of effective solutions to national problems.
- Poverty persists: Despite claims of transformation, poverty remains unaddressed.
- Democracy stagnates: Mexico has not become more democratic.
- Inequality endures: Inequality has not significantly decreased, turning AMLO’s transformative dream into a nightmare for many Mexicans.
- Dependency on asistencialismo: Some citizens rely on handouts and the cult of personality surrounding López Obrador.
Authoritarian language can conceal reality for a time, but it will eventually be overshadowed by the truth.
