Former Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador has reappeared on social media with a broadcast on his YouTube channel, where he spoke about his book "Grandeza".
"This is not an act, I am retired," assured the former head of state, who noted that he is at his ranch "La Chingada" in Palenque, Chiapas, since leaving office on October 1, 2024. He emphasized that although he has ideals and principles that drive him, he was fundamentally "a man of action" in his public and political life.
Now, he said, he is dedicated to reflection and writing: "I thought about what to dedicate myself to and decided to dedicate myself to theory, to writing." He added that during his presidency, 13.4 million Mexicans were lifted out of poverty [...] When he arrived at the presidency, 42% of Mexicans were in poverty. When he left the presidency, it had already dropped to 29%.
López Obrador stated that his proposal of "Mexican humanism" is based on the great culture and history of Mexico. "I have always maintained that politics is thought and action," he commented.
"Mexican humanism has two pillars. One is the cultural, the greatness of Mexico [...] And the other pillar is the fertile political history," he said, and announced that in addition to his book "Grandeza," he will publish another next year titled "Gloria."
López Obrador stressed that although he would like to present his books in public squares, he will not do so because he will not come out of his public retirement. He denied having any influence on the government of Claudia Sheinbaum, whom he referred to as "an exceptional woman," and asked for support for her.
"I have already retired from political activity, we must not cast a shadow on our president, she is the one who is leading and doing it very well," he said, adding that the unity of his movement is key: "We must not divide ourselves, we must be very close, united."
He assured that he would only leave his retirement for three reasons: if there were an attack on democracy; to defend the sovereignty of Mexico; or to defend President Sheinbaum in the event of a coup attempt, "but I don't think that will happen."
"I told you: I would come out to defend democracy; I would also come out to defend her. If there are coup attempts; if they harass her, I come out. Then yes. It has cost a lot to be an independent, sovereign country. And if the sovereignty is violated, then I will go out into the street," he concluded.
