Mexico’s President Andrés Manuel López Obrador bids farewell, signs laws aimed at cementing his legacy

Mexico City, Mexico — Mexico’s outgoing President Andrés Manuel López Obrador held his final morning press briefing on Monday, sending a heartfelt goodbye to Mexicans while also signing two bills into law aimed at cementing his government’s legacy. 

While he spent ample time rattling off his government’s accomplishments during his six years in office, AMLO, as he is known for his initials, seemingly choked up at times in his final daily briefing, which he was only missed a handful of times during his term.

“I cannot fail to say that I am very satisfied with the affection of many Mexicans, women, and men, for which I am grateful with all my heart,” said the president. “I dedicated myself to serving the people; I feel very proud, very happy that we attended to everyone, we listened to everyone, we respected everyone, but we gave preference to those most in need.”

His trademark morning briefings, or “mañaneras” as they’re known in Spanish, became a powerful communications tool, amassing millions of views daily, helping to shape media narratives, and making him the most-watched streamer in Latin America last year.

They were also criticized for being a space where the president openly blasted political rivals, including journalists, activists, and human rights defenders.

He used his final briefing to sign into law legislation proposed by his administration aimed at further cementing his legacy.

One such law adhered the once civilian-led National Guard to Mexico’s Defense Ministry (SEDENA).

The law made official what has been a long and slow transition of the Guard’s 120,000 personnel to military control, prompting concern and outrage from human rights groups.

Created during AMLO’s administration, the National Guard has at times engaged in brutish episodes of excessive force, and although until recently it was supposed to be a civilian-led body, it was found 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 modern Mexican history, with nearly 200,000 homicides 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 endorses their uses, customs, and right to self-government. 

During his final briefing, the president’s communications team played a song 

commemorating his six years in office. 

With tears in his eyes, AMLO thanked them.

His political protegé, former Mexico City Mayor and President-elect Claudia Sheinbaum, will take over control of Mexico on October 1.