Politics

Can AMLO's Optimism Outpace Mexico's Capital Flight?

AMLO's morning musings: diesel drama ends, kidnapped Colombians confuse party etiquette, pensions explode with pesos, Guatemala's new prez gets a hug, Mexico's economy dances salsa despite “capital flight” whispers.

Mexicanist

Jan 15, 2024 — 3 min read

AMLO boasts strong growth, but can he keep the rhythm when whispers of 'capital flight' start playing?

The air crackles with anticipation like a bowl of churros in a mezcal bar. It's the daily Morning Conference, where President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, affectionately nicknamed AMLO, holds court and dishes out news like tamales at a fiesta. Today's menu? A smorgasbord of kidnapped señoritas, pension paychecks the size of burritos, and a side of Guatemala's new president with a dollop of “capital flight” skepticism for dessert.

Fueling the Fire: AMLO kicks things off with a chest thump about his diesel-less reign. Apparently, explosions are as passé as sombreros in a Silicon Valley conference. He then showers self-service gas stations with besos for keeping the basic basket price (whatever that is) as flat as a tortilla. One wonders if he's planning to hand out “Best Price-Gouging Preventer” awards at the next Palacio Nacional party.

A skeletal Day of the Dead figure tossing coins instead of flower petals.

The Engine of Mexico’s Economy: How Tacos, Festivals, and a Greased Pig Keep the Lights On

Mexico’s tacos, festivals and crafts aren’t just cultural gems—they fuel 2.9% of GDP (815B pesos) and 1.5M jobs. Heritage like Day of the Dead, rain rituals and artisanal crafts prop up the economy, proving tradition can be a financial powerhouse.

Photo of Popocatépetl emitting a plume of smoke and ash.

Don Goyo's Grumbles: Inside the Mind of Mexico's Restless Volcano

For 30 years, Popocatépetl (aka Don Goyo) has been erupting, baffling scientists who've studied it since before its 1994 reactivation. From mapping hazards to analyzing ash, their research has spanned decades, even involving a presidential briefing.

Split image shows car-clogged sprawl and a walkable neighborhood.

Rethinking Urban Spaces: How City Design Can Drive Sustainable Transport

Urban planning is key to sustainable transport, says UNAM expert Manuel Suárez Lastra. Compact cities with mixed-use zoning encourage walking and cycling, reducing reliance on cars and their carbon footprint.

Close-up photo of hands preparing tacos on a street food stall. Focus on the food and the hands.

How Street Food Feeds Mexico City and Preserves Tradition

Mexico City's street food vendors are vital, comprising over 50% of food sales in some areas. Research reveals they offer affordable, traditional Mexican food, often healthier than supermarket fare, addressing food access issues in a city where many can't afford formal establishments.

Read more

The Engine of Mexico’s Economy: How Tacos, Festivals, and a Greased Pig Keep the Lights On

Don Goyo's Grumbles: Inside the Mind of Mexico's Restless Volcano

Rethinking Urban Spaces: How City Design Can Drive Sustainable Transport

How Street Food Feeds Mexico City and Preserves Tradition