Mexico City, Mexico – Mexico’s outgoing president Andrés Manuel López Obrador held his final morning press conference on Monday, sending a heartfelt farewell to Mexicans while also signing two bills aimed at cementing his government’s legacy.
While he spent plenty of time touting his government’s achievements during his six years in office, AMLO, as he is known by his initials, apparently choked up at times in his final daily briefing, which he missed by just a few times during his term. .
“I cannot but say that I am very pleased with the love of many Mexicans, women and men, for which I am grateful with all my heart,” said the president. “I am dedicated to serving the people; I feel very proud, very happy that we participated for everyone, we listened to everyone, we respected everyone, but we gave priority to those who need it most.”
His morning conferences, or “mañaneras” as they are known in Spanish, became a powerful communication tool, garnering millions of views daily, helping to shape media narratives and making him the most watched broadcaster in Latin America. the past.
They were also criticized for being a space where the president openly attacked political rivals, including journalists, activists and human rights defenders.
He used his final conference to sign into law his administration’s proposed legislation intended to further cement his legacy.
One such law acceded the formerly civilian-led National Guard to Mexico’s Ministry of Defense (SEDENA).
The law formalized what has been a long and slow transition of 120,000 Guard personnel to military control, prompting concern and anger from human rights groups.
Created during AMLO’s administration, the National Guard has at times been involved in brutal episodes of excessive force, and although it was until recently supposed to be a civilian-led body, it was revealed that over 80% of its ranks came from the military and the now defunct federal police force.
AMLO has been criticized for his government’s excessive use of force against civilians, and he has overseen one of the most violent periods in Mexico’s modern history, with an estimated 200,000 murders occurring during his time in office.
A second bill he signed into law on Monday aims to improve the rights of indigenous peoples and Afro-Mexican communities.
The reform elevates indigenous and Afro-Mexican peoples as subjects of public law, meaning that the constitution now recognizes their usages, customs and right to self-government.
During his last briefing, the president’s communications team played a song
commemorating his six years in office.
With tears in his eyes, AMLO thanked him.
His political protégé, former Mexico City mayor and president-elect Claudia Sheinbaum, will take control of Mexico on October 1.
