Stuff They Don't Want You To Know CLASSIC: How Rigging Elections Works: Mexico, 1988
Nov 25, 2025
Dive into the tumultuous 1988 Mexican election, where suspicion of vote rigging ran rampant. Discover how initial returns flipped the narrative and ignited claims of manipulation. A stunning confession from former President de la Madrid sheds light on hidden interventions that secured victory for Carlos Salinas de Gortari. The notorious computer crash and the deliberate destruction of ballots only add to the intrigue. Reflect on the enduring lessons about democracy's fragility and the importance of civic engagement.
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Narrow Margin, Huge Suspicion
- Mexico's 1988 presidential result declared Carlos Salinas the winner with 50.7% amid narrow margins and controversy.
- That slim lead amplified suspicions and later evidence that the PRI manipulated the outcome.
President Confessed Years Later
- Former president Miguel de la Madrid admitted in his 2004 autobiography that officials panicked when early results showed the PRI losing.
- He confessed they lied about a computer crash and pressured proclamations to secure the PRI's victory.
Multiple Coordinated Fraud Tactics
- Multiple fraud tactics were documented: 'vote tacos', carousel voting, washable ink and hidden computer terminals.
- Investigators later found compelling evidence supporting those specific manipulations.