The Heat: Mexico elects new president, Andrés Manuel López Obrador

The Heat

Security, corruption and poverty are just some of the issues that gave Andrés Manuel López Obrador a resounding victory in Mexico. The former Mexico City mayor won by a landslide, riding on a wave of government dissatisfaction with millions seeking the most anti-establishment candidate they could find. The country’s economy has suffered from widespread corruption, slow growth and record violence.

According to government figures, more than 25,000 people were killed last year – with 133 politicians reportedly murdered in the last ten months alone. Fast forward to Sunday’s election where Lopez Obrador, also known as AMLO, garnered more than 50 percent of the vote – more than double his nearest competitor.

CGTN’s Franc Contreras has this report.
Follow Franc Contreras on Twitter @FrancMex

To discuss what’s next for Mexico:

  • Nathaniel Parish Flannery is a writer and political analyst focusing on Latin America.
  • Eric Olson is the deputy director of the Latin American Program and senior advisor to the Mexico Institute at the Wilson Center.
  • Manuel Suarez-Mier served as the chief of staff to the Governor of the Bank of Mexico and as Minister of Economic Affairs at the Mexican embassy in Washington, DC.
  • Tony Payan is director of the Mexico Center at Rice University’s Baker Institute.

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