Many of our Mexican friends here like how she is part of a party that is raising up the poor. But the cartels…some our our local friends in Jalisco have a real issue with how she has not taken as strong of a stand against cartels, especially with recent discoveries in this state. CJNG is a formidable enemy in particular. They don’t even know for sure who is leading the Jalisco cartel, is El Mencho dead? Probably not. But that’s how untouched they are.
It's one thing to build metro lines and digitize services; it's another to confront violent, decentralized criminal empires that have filled governance gaps for decades. It has to be dealt with, of course, but it may be a case of making progress where progress can be made. This is an area of which I don't have much knowledge.
I don’t know enough either, from a personal experience, as I live in a bit of an expat bubble. I’ve heard some talk of the idea of formally recognizing the cartels a political party. But nothing being seriously considered to my knowledge. They already wield so much power and influence that acknowledging the elephant in the living room could possibly shift dynamics to moderate the violence. There could be pros, but also destabilizing cons. Sounds like a risky proposition.
Similar formal recognitions and incorporation into the political process have been tried in other countries with gangs and violent separatist movements, none of which, as far as I know, has worked out well.
My knowledge is limited on this subject. My impression is it's just too large and entrenched to be dealt with all at once. Maybe chipped away at? And with the level of funding the cartels have I imagine they are controlling government, military, and police. It's like fighting the Republicans.
Let me start by saying that I enjoy your articles very much... for the most part.
But, this article about Claudia Sheinbaum reads like a MORENA press release, not a serious analysis. Let’s cut through the propaganda and look at the real Mexico under her so-called "technocratic" leadership.
1. Mexico’s "Progress" is a Mirage
The article boasts about life expectancy and healthcare, conveniently ignoring that cartel violence still turns entire regions into war zones. More than 30,000 homicides a year, but sure, let’s pretend Mexico is "stabilizing" while the U.S. collapses. Give me a break.
And health coverage for 90% of Mexicans? Most of that is Seguro Popular, a broken system where patients wait months for basic care. Meanwhile, private healthcare (the only reliable option) is out of reach for millions thanks to MORENA’s economic stagnation.
2. Sheinbaum: AMLO’s Loyal Soldier
The article tries to sell her as an independent leader, but she owes her entire career to AMLO. Every policy she’s pushed, militarized policing, attacks on autonomous institutions, reckless spending, all come straight from his playbook.
Crime in Mexico City dropped? Perhaps it's because statistics were massaged, much like AMLO used to do nationally. Extortion, kidnappings, and femicides are still rampant.
Her "environmental" credentials? A joke. She backs AMLO’s Dos Bocas refinery and Maya Train, two of Mexico’s most ecologically destructive projects.
3. Fake Technocrat, True Populist
Sheinbaum’s Nobel connection? She was one of hundreds in the IPCC. Big deal. Meanwhile, AMLO gutted science funding, yet the left still calls her a "scientist-president." Hypocrisy much?
Her real talent? Obedience. She won’t challenge AMLO’s worst impulses:
- Undermining the INE (electoral institute) to keep MORENA in power.
- Attacking the judiciary to avoid accountability.
- Politicizing the military, putting generals in charge of everything from airports to trains.
4. Democracy? More Like MORENA’s One-Party Rule
The article praises Mexico’s "peaceful" transfer of power, but ignores how AMLO flooded the election with welfare handouts (votes for pesos). The INE was defunded, opposition candidates smeared, and yet the left calls Trump a threat to democracy?
Meanwhile, journalists are murdered, critics are called "neoliberal traitors," and Sheinbaum stays silent. Real democratic leadership there.
5. Economy: Stuck in AMLO’s Stagnation
Sheinbaum claims to be pro-growth, but MORENA’s policies chase away investors:
- Energy nationalism scares off foreign companies.
- Fiscal irresponsibility (like the Maya Train’s cost overruns) will burden taxpayers for decades.
- No real plan to combat cartel extortion, which strangles small businesses.
But sure, let’s pretend Mexico is "overtaking" the U.S. while millions of Mexicans still flee north for an opportunity for a better life.
6. "First Female President" Yes, but at What Cost?
Yes, Sheinbaum is a woman. But what has she actually done for women?
- Femicides keep rising, despite her "safe transport" gimmicks.
- She lets AMLO mock feminists as "conservative provocateurs."
This isn’t progress, it’s symbolism for a party that exploits gender while delivering nothing.
Conclusion: Sheinbaum is More of the Same
This article paints her as a visionary. Reality? She’s AMLO with a PhD. Mexico isn’t "rising", it’s stuck in populist stagnation, with more violence, less freedom, and a shrinking economy.
But hey, at least she’s not Trump, right? That’s all the left cares about. Pathetic.
Alex, I agree with you. The Global Profiles are one-sided and need more balance. This project has been in development for less than four months and is evolving toward the finished product. Given your feedback (and the detail you've provided is greatly appreciated), as well as that of others, expect to see changes in the August 20th edition. I hope you will provide feedback regarding those changes. Best, Way
Many of our Mexican friends here like how she is part of a party that is raising up the poor. But the cartels…some our our local friends in Jalisco have a real issue with how she has not taken as strong of a stand against cartels, especially with recent discoveries in this state. CJNG is a formidable enemy in particular. They don’t even know for sure who is leading the Jalisco cartel, is El Mencho dead? Probably not. But that’s how untouched they are.
It's one thing to build metro lines and digitize services; it's another to confront violent, decentralized criminal empires that have filled governance gaps for decades. It has to be dealt with, of course, but it may be a case of making progress where progress can be made. This is an area of which I don't have much knowledge.
I don’t know enough either, from a personal experience, as I live in a bit of an expat bubble. I’ve heard some talk of the idea of formally recognizing the cartels a political party. But nothing being seriously considered to my knowledge. They already wield so much power and influence that acknowledging the elephant in the living room could possibly shift dynamics to moderate the violence. There could be pros, but also destabilizing cons. Sounds like a risky proposition.
Similar formal recognitions and incorporation into the political process have been tried in other countries with gangs and violent separatist movements, none of which, as far as I know, has worked out well.
I know Mexicans who support her, and ones tthat don't. Those who don't always say "...but the cartels!!" Thoughts?
My knowledge is limited on this subject. My impression is it's just too large and entrenched to be dealt with all at once. Maybe chipped away at? And with the level of funding the cartels have I imagine they are controlling government, military, and police. It's like fighting the Republicans.
Let me start by saying that I enjoy your articles very much... for the most part.
But, this article about Claudia Sheinbaum reads like a MORENA press release, not a serious analysis. Let’s cut through the propaganda and look at the real Mexico under her so-called "technocratic" leadership.
1. Mexico’s "Progress" is a Mirage
The article boasts about life expectancy and healthcare, conveniently ignoring that cartel violence still turns entire regions into war zones. More than 30,000 homicides a year, but sure, let’s pretend Mexico is "stabilizing" while the U.S. collapses. Give me a break.
And health coverage for 90% of Mexicans? Most of that is Seguro Popular, a broken system where patients wait months for basic care. Meanwhile, private healthcare (the only reliable option) is out of reach for millions thanks to MORENA’s economic stagnation.
2. Sheinbaum: AMLO’s Loyal Soldier
The article tries to sell her as an independent leader, but she owes her entire career to AMLO. Every policy she’s pushed, militarized policing, attacks on autonomous institutions, reckless spending, all come straight from his playbook.
Crime in Mexico City dropped? Perhaps it's because statistics were massaged, much like AMLO used to do nationally. Extortion, kidnappings, and femicides are still rampant.
Her "environmental" credentials? A joke. She backs AMLO’s Dos Bocas refinery and Maya Train, two of Mexico’s most ecologically destructive projects.
3. Fake Technocrat, True Populist
Sheinbaum’s Nobel connection? She was one of hundreds in the IPCC. Big deal. Meanwhile, AMLO gutted science funding, yet the left still calls her a "scientist-president." Hypocrisy much?
Her real talent? Obedience. She won’t challenge AMLO’s worst impulses:
- Undermining the INE (electoral institute) to keep MORENA in power.
- Attacking the judiciary to avoid accountability.
- Politicizing the military, putting generals in charge of everything from airports to trains.
4. Democracy? More Like MORENA’s One-Party Rule
The article praises Mexico’s "peaceful" transfer of power, but ignores how AMLO flooded the election with welfare handouts (votes for pesos). The INE was defunded, opposition candidates smeared, and yet the left calls Trump a threat to democracy?
Meanwhile, journalists are murdered, critics are called "neoliberal traitors," and Sheinbaum stays silent. Real democratic leadership there.
5. Economy: Stuck in AMLO’s Stagnation
Sheinbaum claims to be pro-growth, but MORENA’s policies chase away investors:
- Energy nationalism scares off foreign companies.
- Fiscal irresponsibility (like the Maya Train’s cost overruns) will burden taxpayers for decades.
- No real plan to combat cartel extortion, which strangles small businesses.
But sure, let’s pretend Mexico is "overtaking" the U.S. while millions of Mexicans still flee north for an opportunity for a better life.
6. "First Female President" Yes, but at What Cost?
Yes, Sheinbaum is a woman. But what has she actually done for women?
- Femicides keep rising, despite her "safe transport" gimmicks.
- She lets AMLO mock feminists as "conservative provocateurs."
This isn’t progress, it’s symbolism for a party that exploits gender while delivering nothing.
Conclusion: Sheinbaum is More of the Same
This article paints her as a visionary. Reality? She’s AMLO with a PhD. Mexico isn’t "rising", it’s stuck in populist stagnation, with more violence, less freedom, and a shrinking economy.
But hey, at least she’s not Trump, right? That’s all the left cares about. Pathetic.
Mexico deserves better.
Alex, I agree with you. The Global Profiles are one-sided and need more balance. This project has been in development for less than four months and is evolving toward the finished product. Given your feedback (and the detail you've provided is greatly appreciated), as well as that of others, expect to see changes in the August 20th edition. I hope you will provide feedback regarding those changes. Best, Way
Way, I will certainly provide my POV with pleasure. For now, I will keep enjoying your articles and videos. Thanks!
Thank you Alex.