Biden's Resignation: Parallels with 1968 and the Electoral Chaos in the U.S.

The resignation of the US President, Joe Biden, from seeking re-election for the White House has plunged the country into an electoral year that promises to be as dizzying as it is conflictive. Such a situation had not been seen in the United States since the turbulent year of 1968, a period marked by social upheavals, political assassinations, and a presidential withdrawal that left the country stunned. The parallel between Biden's resignation and former President Lyndon B. Johnson's decision not to seek re-election in 1968 is undeniable. Both leaders, faced with adverse circumstances and complicated political challenges, chose to step aside in the power struggle. In Johnson's case, the unpopularity of the Vietnam War and his delicate health played a decisive role in his decision. The year 1968 was a tumultuous period in US history. The Vietnam War generated deep discontent among the population, while the assassinations of prominent figures such as Robert F. Kennedy and Martin Luther King shook the foundations of society. The electoral race became a minefield of uncertainty and tragedy. Following Johnson's resignation in 1968, the search for a Democratic candidate capable of competing with Republican Richard Nixon triggered a series of dramatic events. Robert F. Kennedy's candidacy was cut short by his tragic death, leaving Eugene McCarthy and Hubert Humphrey as the main contenders for the Democratic nomination. The parallels between that year and the present are not mere coincidences. The recent assassination attempt on Republican candidate Donald Trump at a rally has created a climate of tension and political polarization reminiscent of the darkest moments in recent US history. The Democratic convention in Chicago, like that of 1968, looms as a fertile ground for conflict and confrontation. The legacy of 1968 as a year that marked a turning point for the Democrats is a reminder of the dangers of internal division and lack of consensus in critical moments for the nation. The violence and political upheaval that characterized that period left deep wounds in the social fabric that took years to heal. Amidst this uncertain and tension-filled scenario, Joe Biden's withdrawal from the electoral race leaves a leadership vacuum in the Democratic Party and opens the door to a new chapter in US political history. The shadow of 1968 looms over the electoral horizon, reminding us that history tends to repeat itself if we do not learn from it.