Política y Políticos en México

Politics and Politicians in Mexico

Mexican politics is characterized by its dynamic nature, with frequent changes in administrations and policies. This section will delve into the main subtopics related to politics in Mexico, including the presidential lineage, major political parties, electoral processes, and the issue of governmental corruption.

Presidents of Mexico

The modern history of Mexican presidents can be traced back to Benito Juárez, who first held office from 1858 to 1872 during the Reforma period. Since then, Mexico has had several notable presidents:

• Porfirio Díaz served three nonconsecutive terms between 1876 and 1911, earning him the nickname El Presidente Vida ("the eternal president").
• Francisco Madero, known for his anti-reelection efforts, was elected president in 1911, only to be assassinated following a coup d'état led by Victoriano Huerta.
• Lázaro Cárdenas, who led the country from 1934 to 1940, implemented significant social reforms such as redistributing land from large estates to peasants.
• Miguel de la Madrid, serving from 1982 to 1988, oversaw economic liberalization measures called the New Mexican Economic Model, which aimed to stabilize inflation and attract foreign investment.
• Carlos Salinas de Gortari, in power from 1988 to 1994, played a key role in implementing NAFTA, the North American Free Trade Agreement, which integrated Mexico's economy more closely with those of Canada and the United States.
• Andrés Manuel López Obrador, commonly known as AMLO, won the presidency of Mexico in 2018 after losing two previous bids and has been credited with increasing public employment, reducing unemployment, and decreasing poverty rates in Mexico.

These figures have shaped Mexican politics through their tenures, which often coincide with periods of significant change within the country.

Political Parties in Mexico

Political party systems in Mexico have evolved over time, with some lasting longer than others. Key players in contemporary Mexican politics include:

• Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI): Founded in 1929 and dominated national politics until 2000, amid widespread accusations of corruption and fraud.
• National Action Party (PAN): Formed by members of the opposition to the PRI, it gained prominence in state governments before winning the federal election in 2000.
• Democratic Revolution Party (PRD) : A leftist populist party formed by a group of PRI defectors, later alienated many former supporters due to internal conflicts and scandals.
• Movement for National Regeneration (MORENA) : Created in 2014, this party became dominant under AMLO's leadership and has since retained considerable influence.

Additionally, there are smaller parties like the Green Ecologist Party of Mexico (PVEM), the Labor Party (PT), and the Worker's Party (TT). Elections frequently result in coalition governments rather than single-party majority rule.

Elections in Mexico

Electoral processes in Mexico involve multiple levels and types of elections:

• Federal level: These cover the offices of president, senators, and deputies in the federal congress.
• State level: Governorships, mayors, city councils, and local representatives are all part of these elections.
• Local level: Here, municipal mayors and councilmembers are chosen in each municipality throughout Mexico.

Voting age in Mexico is set at 18 years old, although citizens over 16 but younger than 18 can vote if they meet certain requirements regarding their education.

Government Corruption in Mexico

Corruption remains an ongoing challenge for Mexico despite some progress in recent decades. Some examples of high-profile cases involving institutional misconduct include:

• In 2009, José Luis Santiago Vasconcelos, head of PEMEX, the state oil company, resigned due to allegations of corruption involving his family members.
• In August 2016, 37 people were arrested across nine states on charges ranging from bribery to money laundering under Operation Carwash, stemming from a massive investigation launched in Brazil.
• Former governor of Veracruz Javier Duarte fled Mexico in early 2017 facing 92 criminal charges, including embezzlement and organized crime ties.

However, Mexico also showcases successes against corruption. For instance, the Attorney General's Office successfully prosecuted Joaquín Guzmán Loera, alias 'El Chapo,' in October 2019, resulting in a life sentence without parole. Additionally, the Lopez Obrador administration has made efforts to fight corruption publicly, leading to convictions against some prominent officials. Despite these steps forward, there continues to be concern about deep-rooted systemic problems within Mexican society.