Introduction
Currently, the most popular series on Netflix Mexico is “Las Muertas,” an adaptation by Luis Estrada of Jorge Ibargüengoitia’s novel. Ibargüengoitia, a Guanajuato-born writer, masterfully used biting irony to expose the absurdity of Mexican public life. The series, while fictional characters, reflects real events in Mexico’s ongoing struggles with corruption, impunity, and violence.
The Relevance of Jorge Ibargüengoitia and Luis Estrada
Jorge Ibargüengoitia, a renowned Mexican playwright and novelist from Guanajuato, was known for his sharp satire that unmasked the absurdity of Mexican public life. His work, along with Luis Estrada’s dark humor in the “Las Muertas” adaptation, serves as a reminder that Mexico’s past continues to haunt its present.
Parallel Realities: Claudia Sheinbaum’s First Year
In parallel to the fictional world depicted in “Las Muertas,” Mexico City’s first female mayor, Claudia Sheinbaum, has been navigating her first year in office. She faces the challenges portrayed in the series, including corruption, impunity, and violence, along with the weighty legacy of her predecessor and the unpredictability of dealing with a U.S. counterpart.
Evaluating Claudia Sheinbaum’s First Year
To provide a balanced assessment of Sheinbaum’s first year, let’s examine key areas:
Security
Abandoning the failed “hugs, not bullets” approach is a positive step. However, results remain insufficient and fragmented across different states. While violence decreases in some areas like Aguascalientes and Querétaro, others grapple with escalating violence and impunity.
Justice System
The appointment of judges and the upcoming reform to the Amparo Law do little to mend a crumbling justice system. Instead, they widen existing fissures, raising concerns about Sheinbaum’s ideological commitments potentially turning the judicial system into fiction.
Economy
Though Mexico avoids recession, the economic outlook is worrying. Public spending exceeds income, investment declines, Pemex strains state finances, and the projected growth rate of less than 1% is meager.
Energy Sector
In the strategic energy sector, there are signs of openness to private investment, but rules remain opaque, and progress stalls. The recent power outage affecting two million people in the southeast underscores the insufficiency of Mexico’s electricity grid.
Key Questions and Answers
- Q: How has Claudia Sheinbaum performed in her first year?
A: Sheinbaum’s first year has been a mix of successes and challenges. While making progress in security, the justice system, economy, and energy sector requires more attention. - Q: What are the main concerns regarding Mexico’s security?
A: Fragmented results in reducing violence and impunity across various states remain a significant concern. - Q: How has the justice system fared under Sheinbaum?
A: The justice system faces deep-rooted issues, with appointments and reforms failing to address the system’s fundamental problems. - Q: What challenges does Mexico’s economy face?
A: The economy grapples with public spending exceeding income, declining investment, and a weak growth outlook. - Q: What developments have emerged in Mexico’s energy sector?
A: There are indications of openness to private investment, but the sector faces opaque rules and infrastructure shortcomings.
