AMLO Criticizes INE / SEP Books

AMLO Criticizes INE. President Andrés Manuel López Obrador called for a review of INE’s and the Electoral Tribunal of the Judiciary of the Federation’s (TEPJF) attributions, as he says his freedom of expression in electoral matters has been limited. "The right of expression must be guaranteed. No one should have restrictions to express themselves and their opinion."

This month, INE’s Complaints and Accusations Commission approved new measures against the president, with the objective of preventing him from making statements about the 2024 electoral process. The aforementioned commission declared a complaint by candidate Xóchitl Gálvez to be admissible. In addition, it approved the elimination or modification of the morning press conferences and their respective stenographic versions from July 10, 11, 14 and 17. This decision was made because, under the appearance of rightful discourse and from a preliminary perspective, the president openly referred to the federal electoral process and made references to electoral matters. 

This is the second time that measures have been issued against López Obrador. Previously, INE ordered the president to refrain from making electoral remarks, following accusations made against Gálvez.

SEP Books. López Obrador announced that his government will suspend the distribution of textbooks produced by the Ministry of Public Education (SEP) in Chihuahua, after the Fourth District Judge of Chihuahua, Gabriel Pacheco Reveles, ordered it. "What are we going to do? We are going to respect that decision, although the federal Executive is in charge of elaborating and distributing textbooks."

Recently, Mario Ángel Flores, former Dean, Universidad Pontificia de México, and current Director, National Observatory of the Episcopate, said that the SEP books are based on the ideology of "a radical group of Marxists."  As a result, several governors have called for a halt to the distribution of SEP books. Last week,  López Obrador said the National Union of Education Workers (SNTE) agrees with the content of the new basic education books prepared by the SEP. He reiterated that the books were designed by pedagogues, teachers and education specialists.

Poverty. López Obrador assures that, during his administration, 5 million people have moved away from the poverty line in Mexico. "It is something that has not happened in 40 years."

According to the National Household Income and Expenditure Survey (ENIGH), the Mexican household income increased 11% in 2022. INEGI highlighted that the increase is promising, as in 2020 there were very low income levels due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The report also highlighted that the average quarterly income in Mexican households is MX$63,695.