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AMLO's 'Fourth Transformation': A Facade for Capitalism?

The article from the World Socialist Web Site (WSWS) titled "Mexico: AMLO’s ‘Fourth Transformation’ and the crisis of capitalism" delves deeply into the political and economic landscape of Mexico under President Andrés Manuel López Obrador (AMLO), framing his administration as a facade of progressive reform that ultimately serves the interests of global capitalism while exacerbating social inequalities. Published on August 9, 2025, the piece critiques AMLO's so-called "Fourth Transformation" (4T) as a populist project that has failed to address the root causes of poverty, exploitation, and imperialist domination in Mexico, instead aligning with U.S. imperialism and domestic oligarchs.

The analysis begins by situating AMLO's rise to power in 2018 within the broader context of Mexico's history of bourgeois nationalism, drawing parallels to earlier "transformations" like the Independence War, the Reform era, and the Mexican Revolution. However, the authors argue that the 4T represents no genuine break from capitalism but rather a desperate attempt by the ruling class to stabilize a crumbling system amid growing working-class unrest. They highlight how AMLO's Morena party, initially presented as a left-wing alternative to the corrupt PRI and PAN establishments, has morphed into a vehicle for austerity, militarization, and pro-business policies. Key examples include the continuation of neoliberal trade agreements like the USMCA (successor to NAFTA), which has deepened Mexico's role as a low-wage manufacturing hub for U.S. corporations, leading to intensified exploitation of workers in maquiladoras along the border.

A significant portion of the article focuses on the economic fallout from these policies. It details how, despite AMLO's rhetoric of "putting the poor first," real wages have stagnated or declined for millions, with inflation eroding purchasing power. The piece cites recent data showing that over 50% of Mexicans live in poverty, while wealth concentration among the elite—figures like Carlos Slim and other billionaires—has reached record highs. The authors connect this to the global capitalist crisis, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing U.S.-China trade war, which have disrupted supply chains and fueled migration crises. They criticize AMLO's handling of the pandemic, noting that Mexico suffered one of the highest per capita death rates globally due to inadequate healthcare investment and a reliance on herd immunity strategies that prioritized economic reopening over public health.

The militarization of Mexican society under AMLO is another core theme. The article condemns the expansion of the National Guard, ostensibly created to combat drug cartels, as a tool for suppressing social dissent and enforcing labor discipline. It draws links to U.S. imperialism, pointing out how AMLO has cooperated with Washington on border security, including the "Remain in Mexico" policy and joint operations against migrants. This, the authors argue, is part of a broader strategy to fortify Fortress North America against the influx of refugees fleeing climate change, poverty, and violence in Central America—conditions worsened by U.S.-backed coups and economic sanctions in the region. The piece references recent protests by teachers, farmers, and indigenous communities against land grabs for megaprojects like the Maya Train and the Isthmus of Tehuantepec Corridor, which are portrayed as environmentally destructive ventures benefiting multinational corporations at the expense of local populations.

Furthermore, the article examines the role of pseudo-left forces in propping up AMLO's regime. It accuses groups like the Morenoist Workers' Party (PT) and sections of the trade union bureaucracy of channeling working-class anger into electoral politics, thereby preventing the development of an independent revolutionary movement. The authors invoke Trotskyist principles, emphasizing the need for a socialist internationalist perspective that unites Mexican workers with their counterparts in the U.S. and Latin America against capitalism. They warn that AMLO's successor, Claudia Sheinbaum, who assumed office in 2024, is poised to accelerate these reactionary trends, potentially leading to heightened class conflict.

In a broader geopolitical context, the piece situates Mexico's crisis within the escalating U.S.-China rivalry and the proxy war in Ukraine, which have inflated energy prices and food costs, hitting Mexico's import-dependent economy hard. It critiques AMLO's foreign policy maneuvers, such as his ambiguous stance on Venezuela and Cuba, as opportunistic balancing acts that ultimately defer to U.S. hegemony. The authors argue that true transformation can only come through the expropriation of the banks and major industries, the establishment of workers' control, and the building of a revolutionary party based on the principles of the International Committee of the Fourth International (ICFI).

The article concludes with a call to action, urging Mexican workers and youth to reject nationalism and reformism in favor of a global socialist revolution. It highlights ongoing strikes in the auto sector and education as potential flashpoints for broader struggle, stressing the interconnectedness of fights against imperialism worldwide. Throughout, the tone is uncompromisingly Marxist, rejecting any illusions in bourgeois democracy and emphasizing the historical lessons of betrayed revolutions in Latin America, from Allende's Chile to Chávez's Venezuela.

This extensive critique paints AMLO's 4T not as a progressive force but as a bulwark against genuine socialism, perpetuating the exploitation inherent in capitalism. By weaving together economic data, historical analysis, and political theory, the article aims to educate and mobilize readers toward a revolutionary alternative, underscoring the urgency of international class solidarity in an era of deepening global crisis. (Word count: 812)

Read the Full World Socialist Web Site Article at:
[ https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2025/08/09/mxam-a09.html ]