Crucial Elections: Mexico's Democratic Future at Stake

Next Sunday, Mexicans are preparing to go to the polls in crucial elections that will define the country's direction in the coming years. The electoral contest is not limited to the election of a new president, as voters will also choose deputies, senators, and governors of several key states. However, beyond the proposals and candidates in contention, what is at stake is much deeper: the survival of Mexican democracy. During President Andrés Manuel López Obrador's (AMLO) term, Mexico has experienced a worrying deterioration in various aspects. Violence has increased alarmingly, reaching record levels of homicides that have sown fear and insecurity in much of the national territory. According to economist Isaac Katz, AMLO's term has been classified as the "term of destruction." The security strategy implemented by the president, under the motto of "hugs, not bullets," has proven insufficient to contain the spiral of violence plaguing the country. Over 180,000 homicides have been committed during his government, a figure that surpasses any recent records, not to mention the thousands of missing persons who have left a painful trail of uncertainty and suffering in Mexican families. Drug cartels have extended their dominance over vast regions of the country, controlling not only drug trafficking but also engaging in criminal activities such as kidnapping, extortion, and human trafficking. The presence and power of organized crime represent a looming threat to the stability and governance of Mexico. In the political realm, violence has permeated the electoral process, with the assassination of several candidates for public office and numerous attacks against officials and political leaders. These violent acts seek to undermine democracy and maintain political control in the hands of those who seek to impose their interests through violence and intimidation. In addition to the security crisis, AMLO's government has been criticized for its belligerent attitude towards the country's institutions, weakening the necessary checks and balances for the functioning of any healthy democracy. Attempts to undermine the autonomy of the National Electoral Institute (INE) and the growing militarization of the country have raised serious concerns about the future of civil liberties and the separation of powers in Mexico. In this context, citizens are faced with two divergent options at the polls. On one hand, the ruling party's presidential candidate, Claudia Sheinbaum, represents the continuity of a political project that has shown serious shortcomings in terms of security and respect for institutions. On the other hand, Xóchitl Gálvez emerges as an alternative promising to strengthen political pluralism and democratic institutionalism in the country. Polls suggest that Sheinbaum is leading the race, while AMLO has announced a last-minute plan for constitutional reforms aimed at consolidating his power and control over key state institutions. If approved, these reforms would represent a serious setback for Mexican democracy, concentrating excessive power in the hands of the executive and undermining the independence of the judicial and legislative branches. In summary, this Sunday's elections represent a turning point for Mexico, where not only the country's future in the coming years is at stake but also the future of its democracy and the fundamental freedoms of its citizens. The decision made by Mexicans will have far-reaching repercussions on the nation's political and social life, defining whether the current deterioration deepens or if a new era of hope and progress is opened.