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Mexico has a new president. Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, better known as AMLO, has already made changes even before his inauguration. His policy proposals include increases in financial aid for students and the elderly, universal access to public colleges, cancellation of the New Mexico City International Airport project, a referendum on energy reforms that ended Pemex’s monopoly in the oil industry, stimulus of the country’s agricultural sector, increased social spending, slashing politicians’ salaries and perks and the decentralization of the executive cabinet by moving government departments and agencies from the capital to the states. He received special recognition by the indigenous people a sign of confidence in new president. Representatives of Mexico’s 68 distinct indigenous peoples as well as members of Afro-Mexican groups handed over a bastón de mando – a staff or baton indicative of authority – to the new president as a show of confidence that he will govern for all citizens and make wise decisions. Indigenous people represent about 10% of Mexico’s population, concentrated in certain areas, such as the poverty-stricken southern states of Oaxaca and Chiapas. He had a ceremony of purification and consecration in front of the crowd. There was the traditional music, flowers and copal, (incense from a tree resin). It’s the first time that in a public ceremony and [as part of] an inauguration a president of the republic received the bastón de mando on behalf of the indigenous people and communities The ceremony — involving representatives of dozens of Mexico’s indigenous groups, many donning traditional clothing — was a highlight of the inauguration day, with tens of thousands of people in attendance. Lopez Obrador and his wife, Beatriz Gutiérrez Müller, were both enveloped in incense as indigenous healers performed the cleansing of the first couple. “We are going to give special attention to the indigenous people of Mexico,” Lopez Obrador vowed, addressing thousands of people gathered at a stage set up in the plaza. “It is a disgrace that our original communities live with oppression and racism, with poverty and marginalization.” “After receiving the, I reaffirm my vow not to lie, not to rob and not to betray the people of Mexico,” declared Lopez Obrador, who held the ribbon-bedecked staff in his left hand as he spoke. For most of the thousands of people congregated at the Zocalo, the ceremony was a promise that increased their hopes of change. In a way, the hopes of the Mexican people are linked to the hopes of the entire world longing for change that brings a new look at life, switching from corruption, lies and money grabbing politicians, to a working administration that listens to people and works with them to improve their daily life. Many years ago, Salvador Allende who was the legitimate elected president of Chile, also promised change to his country, but his dreams were cut short when the military, supported by the United States CIA, took the control of the country, bringing about a military regime under Augusto Pinochet who proceeded to kidnap, torture, and murder thousands of people. Let us hope that AMLO will be able to listen to the people, be wise, make changes, and be surrounded by people, who like him, want to see a triumphant Mexico where its citizens will be able to enjoy and flourish in their own beautiful and resourceful country. ¡Congratulations Mexico!
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