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What Will AMLO's Mexico Look Like? (José Ignacio Soler, Venezuela, 07/08/18 10:50 am)

To have a better political profile of AMLO, Mexico's new president, we should keep in mind that this is the third time he has run for the presidency, the first two in 2006 and 2012. He lost to Felipe Calderón the first time and Peña Nieto after that. This fact must show either is most perseverant he is, or that he has a powerful thirst for power and ambition. Likely both.

He is a perfect example of a socialist-populist politician, opportunistic and ideologically biased towards radical ideas, a dangerous blend. His political program is based on the following pillars, which by the way look extremely similar to Chávez's 1999 program for Venezuela:

1. Fight against poverty and inequality.

2. Fight against corruption and impunity.

3. Fight against insecurity, drug trafficking, and delinquency.

4. Oil industry reform. Essentially, to reverse the privatization of the sector.

5. Education.

They all seem to be very legitimate aspirations, not different from most of other programs previously announced by other failed political leaders in the past and presently all over our continent. It remains to be seen if he is able to, at least, achieve partial success, without turning the country into chaos and ruins.

JE comments: AMLO has promised to "respect" the previous administration's oil reform (privatization), but it is still early to tell.  There has been no market panic with AMLO's victory.  Hope springs eternal:  Might Latin America finally have found a populist who doesn't also drag his nation to economic ruin?

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