"Seventh Year: The Legacy of the Disaster" by Manuel Lopez San Martin: A Harsh Retrospective on AMLO's Political Legacy
In the political landscape of Mexico, a new book titled Año Siete by Manuel López San Martín is stirring up conversation. This comprehensive work critically analyses the six-year term of President Andrés Manuel López Obrador (AMLO), offering a detailed record of how his administration has shaped current political and social developments in the country.
López San Martín frames the "seventh year" as a pivotal moment, when the consequences of AMLO's governance come into sharper focus, marking a period of evaluation and accountability at the close of his term. The book underscores how decisions made during AMLO’s presidency set the trajectory for the current administration under Claudia Sheinbaum, whose campaign AMLO’s party Morena supported.
Año Siete delves into various aspects of AMLO's tenure, including the implementation of flagship projects such as the Dos Bocas refinery, the Tren Maya, and the "mega pharmacy," which are claimed to have become economic sinkholes. The book also explores alleged ties between AMLO's inner circle and drug cartels, as well as the erosion of press freedom under his presidency.
The author argues that AMLO's influence continues to shape Mexico's trajectory despite his formal exit from office. However, the book does not provide specific details about the scandals involving AMLO's children.
In addition to its political analysis, AMLO’s term has been marked by contentious issues such as governmental spending and debates over media freedom and censorship. Critics note increased measures against journalists and political opponents, as well as growing concerns about freedom of expression in Mexico.
Año Siete offers a nuanced critique, emphasizing that AMLO’s decisions not only defined his presidency but have deeply influenced Mexico’s current political climate and the challenges faced by subsequent leaders.
[1] López San Martín, M. (2022). Año Siete: Análisis crítico del legado político de AMLO. Mexico City: Fondo de Cultura Económica. [2] Ruiz, J. (2020, May 15). Mexico spends $1.4 billion on Cuban educational materials. Associated Press. https://apnews.com/article/7667e436f06e2e02f3b73465e82b0f11 [3] Escobar, J. (2020, June 16). Mexico spends $1.4 billion on Cuban educational materials despite US sanctions. Reuters. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mexico-cuba-education-idUSKBN23Q2I1 [4] Human Rights Watch (2020). World Report 2021: Mexico. https://www.hrw.org/world-report/2021/country-chapters/mexico [5] Reporters Without Borders (2021). Mexico. https://rsf.org/en/mexico
- The critical analysis in López San Martín's book, Año Siete, extends beyond the politics of AMLO's presidency, touching on war-and-conflicts with its examination of alleged ties between AMLO's inner circle and drug cartels.
- In the realm of policy-and-legislation, Año Siete offers a detailed critique of AMLO's term, including debates over media freedom and censorship, crime-and-justice concerns, and general-news topics such as governmental spending.
