Andrés Manuel López Obrador (AMLO)

Andrés Manuel López Obrador (AMLO) has left a positive impact on Mexico through his dedication to fighting corruption, his focus on social justice, and his unwavering commitment to protecting and revitalizing Mexico’s indigenous and cultural heritage. His leadership is defined by his transparency, humility, and efforts to strengthen Mexico's national identity, economy, and sovereignty.

AMLO began his political career in 1977 as the Director of the Instituto Nacional Indigenista (INI) in Tabasco. In this role, he worked closely with Mexico’s indigenous communities, focusing on improving their living conditions and preserving their cultural heritage. This early experience shaped AMLO’s understanding of indigenous struggles and instilled in him a deep respect for the history, traditions, and rights of these communities. His time in the INI influenced his later political career, making him a lifelong advocate for indigenous rights and social justice.

AMLO’s path to the presidency was a long and difficult one. He was the governor of the capital of Mexico, Mexico City from 2000-2005 He ran for president three times, with the most controversial election being in 2006, when accusations of fraud surrounded the outcome. It is widely believed that AMLO may have been cheated out of victory, and even some officials later admitted to irregularities. He ran again in 2012, where the results were extremely close. Despite these setbacks, AMLO never gave up, and in 2018, he finally won the presidency, becoming the leader of Mexico through his steadfast principles and reputation for incorruptibility.

Once in office, AMLO set about tackling corruption and enacting economic reforms to improve the lives of Mexico’s working-class citizens. One of his most significant achievements was the doubling then tripling of the minimum wage, from 73 pesos (3.66 USD) in 2016 to 240 pesos (12.00 USD) by 2024. To ensure this wage increase did not negatively affect consumers, he placed limits on businesses, preventing them from raising prices beyond inflation. The biggest critique to this was where he'd get the money to raise the wage and create numerous other social programs which benefit around 30 million Mexican families today, and he responded with all the money that the corrupt officials have been stealing from Mexico and its people. He didnt have to cut funds because he saved so much money by cutting off as much of the corruption in Mexico as he could it saved billions. He cut the presidents wage from 270,000 pesos (14,062 USD) a month in 2016

down to 108,000 pesos (5,023 USD) a month from 2018 this is extremely important as by Mexican law no government official can earn more than the president. He also changed the way money is transported or checks, he now sends the money directly signature and everything required the amount is prewritten, this wasn't in place before, it is now and it prevents people from misusing the funds as they directly sign for them now, instead of it just being sent to the institution or agency for a general purpose it is now specific and personal so corruption can be tied to the people who commits it a significant deterrent.

AMLO’s administration is also known for its transparency. His mañaneras—daily live-streamed press conferences held five days a week—run for 2-3 hours where he engages directly with the public on various issues. With over 1,300 mañaneras to date, AMLO’s willingness to communicate openly with the people has helped strengthen public trust in his leadership.

AMLO has been a fierce advocate for Mexico’s sovereignty over its natural resources. He successfully reclaimed control over two major state-owned enterprises:

• PEMEX (Petróleos Mexicanos): AMLO has worked to revive Mexico’s national oil company, helping it overcome financial struggles and improving its production capacity.
• CFE (Comisión Federal de Electricidad): Similarly, AMLO strengthened Mexico’s state-owned electric company, ensuring energy sovereignty and reducing reliance on foreign corporations.

In addition, AMLO made a bold move by nationalizing Mexico's lithium reserves. This is a crucial step for the country’s future, as lithium is a valuable resource for the production of batteries and electric vehicles, positioning Mexico to benefit from the global shift toward renewable energy.

AMLO has not only focused on economic and energy reforms but also spearheaded several infrastructure projects that highlight both Mexico’s modernization and its rich cultural heritage:

• El Satélite Azteca: A collaborative project with NASA, symbolizing Mexico’s leap into scientific and technological advancement.
• Tren Maya: One of AMLO’s flagship infrastructure projects, this railway will boost economic development in southern Mexico while preserving and promoting the region’s indigenous cultures and environmental sustainability.
• Parque del Jaguar at Lake Texcoco: AMLO has prioritized the creation of national parks and protected areas. At Lake Texcoco, the historical site of Tenochtitlán, AMLO inaugurated a national park to safeguard the land from exploitation and honor the Aztec capital and its deep cultural legacy.

One of the most emotional and symbolic moments of AMLO’s presidency occurred when he was presented with the Bastón del Mando by the indigenous leaders of Mexico. In a heartfelt ceremony, AMLO knelt before the indigenous elders as they knelt to him and handed him this symbol of leadership and responsibility. The elder presenting the staff was moved to tears, reflecting the profound significance of having a president who respects and honors the originary peoples of Mexico. This act was a powerful display of AMLO’s humility and dedication to the Mexican people, particularly its indigenous communities.

AMLO’s knowledge and appreciation for Mexico’s history and its originary cultures set him apart as a leader. He often incorporates lessons from the country’s pre-Hispanic and revolutionary past into his presidency, promoting the preservation of Native Mexican traditions. Having lived among indigenous communities early in his career, AMLO carries with him an intimate understanding of Mexico’s Ancestral culture and works tirelessly to ensure that these traditions are not lost but celebrated as an integral part of the nation’s identity.