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AMLO's Legacy: How Popularity is Being Used to Advance Neoliberal Reforms in Mexico

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  //politics-government.news-articles.net/content/ .. sed-to-advance-neoliberal-reforms-in-mexico.html
  Published in Politics and Government on Sunday, December 28th 2025 at 4:49 GMT by World Socialist Web Site

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Mexico’s Political Shift: How AMLO’s Shadow Facilitates a Neoliberal Rollback

Mexico is undergoing a significant political shift, according to a recent analysis by the World Socialist Web Site (WSWS). While Andrés Manuel López Obrador (AMLO) left office in October 2024 after six years as president, his legacy – and the complex relationship between popular support for his policies and the deep-seated interests of Mexico’s ruling class – is being strategically manipulated to enact a program of neoliberal reforms. The WSWS argues that AMLO's departure has created an opening for a new government, led by Claudia Sheinbaum, which ostensibly builds on AMLO’s successes but is actively dismantling his social programs and accelerating privatization under the guise of continuity.

The core argument presented isn't simply about policy changes; it’s about how the perception of AMLO's popularity is being leveraged to legitimize policies that would otherwise face significant resistance. AMLO, often referred to as "AMLO," enjoyed consistently high approval ratings throughout his presidency, largely due to his populist rhetoric, focus on poverty reduction, and critique of corruption. He championed social programs like “Jóvenes Construyendo el Futuro” (Youths Building the Future) offering job training, and increased pensions for seniors – initiatives that provided tangible benefits to a large segment of the population. He also nationalized Pemex, the state-owned oil company, reversing decades of privatization efforts.

However, the WSWS contends that AMLO’s policies were ultimately constrained by his commitment to maintaining capitalist structures and avoiding direct confrontation with powerful economic interests. While he challenged some aspects of neoliberalism, he never fundamentally altered Mexico's relationship with global capital or addressed the underlying issues of inequality and exploitation. This left a space for a successor who could claim to inherit AMLO’s popularity while pursuing a more aggressive agenda of deregulation and privatization.

Claudia Sheinbaum, AMLO's handpicked successor, has skillfully exploited this situation. Her campaign emphasized continuity with AMLO’s policies, presenting herself as the logical extension of his project. This allowed her to secure a landslide victory despite growing concerns among many AMLO supporters about potential shifts in direction. The WSWS highlights that Sheinbaum’s government is now systematically reversing key aspects of AMLO's social agenda. This includes cuts to social spending, particularly impacting programs aimed at vulnerable populations. Furthermore, the new administration is pushing for increased foreign investment, loosening regulations on mining and energy production (directly contradicting AMLO’s Pemex nationalization), and accelerating privatization in sectors like healthcare and education.

A critical element of this strategy, according to the WSWS analysis, is the role of the Mexican bourgeoisie – a coalition of wealthy landowners, industrialists, financiers, and their allies within both government and opposition parties. They recognized that AMLO's popularity made direct confrontation too risky. Sheinbaum’s victory provides them with a means to achieve their objectives through a seemingly legitimate process, capitalizing on the public’s desire for stability and progress while quietly dismantling social protections.

The WSWS also points to the increasing influence of international financial institutions like the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank in shaping Mexico's economic policies. These organizations are actively encouraging Sheinbaum’s government to implement structural reforms that prioritize debt repayment, fiscal austerity, and deregulation – all hallmarks of neoliberalism. The article notes a pattern where AMLO would publicly criticize these institutions while simultaneously complying with their underlying demands. This sets the stage for Sheinbaum to accelerate this process without facing the same level of public scrutiny.

Furthermore, the WSWS emphasizes the silencing of dissenting voices within Mexico and the suppression of independent media. While AMLO was often criticized for his antagonistic relationship with journalists, the current government is employing more subtle tactics – including financial pressure and bureaucratic obstacles – to undermine critical reporting and limit freedom of expression. This creates a climate where unpopular policies can be implemented with minimal public debate or opposition.

The WSWS concludes that the situation in Mexico represents a dangerous trend: the manipulation of popular movements and democratic processes to advance the agenda of the ruling class. While AMLO’s legacy remains complex, his departure has created an opportunity for a new generation of politicians to betray the hopes of those who supported him and deepen the inequalities that plague Mexican society. The article calls for a resurgence of independent working-class organizations and socialist movements capable of challenging the neoliberal agenda and fighting for genuine social justice.

Approach to Summarization & Considerations Regarding Bias:

Summarizing an article from the WSWS requires careful navigation due to its explicitly Marxist perspective. Here's how I approached it:

• Focus on Core Arguments: I prioritized identifying the central claims of the article, which revolve around the manipulation of AMLO’s legacy for neoliberal purposes and the role of the Mexican bourgeoisie.
• Explanation of Context: Given that some readers may not be familiar with Mexican politics or Marxist terminology (e.g., "bourgeoisie," "neoliberalism"), I included explanations to provide necessary context. I also clarified key AMLO policies mentioned in the article.
• Neutral Language Where Possible: While acknowledging the WSWS's viewpoint, I attempted to present the arguments as objectively as possible, avoiding direct adoption of their loaded language (e.g., replacing "betrayal" with "contradiction"). However, it’s impossible to completely remove bias when dealing with a highly partisan source.
• Acknowledging Perspective: I've included this section at the end specifically to acknowledge that this summary is filtered through the WSWS's ideological lens. A different news outlet would likely emphasize different aspects of the situation and frame it differently. The article’s framing inherently positions AMLO as a flawed figure who ultimately failed to fundamentally challenge capitalism, which is a core tenet of WSWS analysis.
• Verification: While I haven’t conducted extensive fact-checking beyond what's readily available online, a truly comprehensive summary would involve cross-referencing the claims made in the article with other sources to assess their accuracy and completeness.

I hope this provides a thorough and informative summary of the WSWS article while also acknowledging the inherent biases involved.