BBC's Mexico correspondent and Latin America and Caribbean Editor discuss Mexico's violent election, drug cartel influence, safety concerns, and the potential impact of the first female President. They examine the intertwined nature of violence and politics, challenges faced in combating corruption, and the candidates' approaches to crime. The podcast also explores the economic influence of cartels, trade unions, and President Lopez Obrador's measures benefiting informal workers.
Unprecedented violence in Mexico's election threatens democracy by targeting local officials, with 75% of voters fearing for their safety.
Top presidential candidates Claudia Schainbaum and Sochil Galvez focus on combating cartel violence, but lack clear strategies for addressing the issue.
Deep dives
Violence in Mexico's Election Campaign
The campaign leading up to Mexico's election has been marked by unprecedented violence, with candidates from all political backgrounds being targeted and intimidated. Drug cartels control vast territories, impacting not only Mexico but also neighboring countries like the US. The high level of violence has raised concerns among Mexican voters, with polls showing that 75% fear for their safety. The escalating violence has shifted from cartel conflicts to targeting local officials, posing a significant threat to democracy in Mexico.
Presidential Candidates' Approaches to Cartel Violence
The top candidates for Mexico's presidency, Claudia Schainbaum and Sochil Galvez, have emphasized addressing cartel violence in their campaigns. Schainbaum, aligned with the current president, emphasizes military presence for peacekeeping rather than waging war. Galvez positions herself as a tough candidate against the cartels but lacks specific plans for tackling the issue. Both candidates have been vague on details, raising questions about their strategies to combat the cartels that have extended their influence beyond Mexico.
International Implications and Economic Concerns
Mexico's election outcome holds significant implications beyond its borders, especially for the US due to shared concerns such as border security, drug trafficking, and immigration. The impact of cartel violence also affects investors' confidence in Mexico as a manufacturing hub, potentially hindering economic growth. The international community is closely monitoring Mexico's efforts to address violence, as failure to do so could have repercussions on global trade relations and regional stability.
Mexico is in the midst of its bloodiest ever election. The country will get its first female President but this vote has been overshadowed by the murder of dozens of local candidates. Drug cartels are expanding their power and ordinary Mexicans say they fear for their safety. Will a new leader make a real difference?
Katya speaks with the BBC's Mexico correspondent Will Grant and Latin America and Caribbean Editor Vanessa Buschschlüter.
The Global Story brings you trusted insights from BBC journalists worldwide. We’re keen to hear from you, wherever you are in the world. We want your ideas, stories and experiences to help us understand and tell The Global Story. Email us at theglobalstory@bbc.com You can also message us or leave a voice note via WhatsApp on +44 330 123 9480. #TheGlobalStory.
The Global Story is part of the BBC News Podcasts family. The team that makes The Global Story also makes several other podcasts, such as Americast and Ukrainecast, which cover US news and the war in Ukraine. If you enjoy The Global Story, then we think that you will enjoy some of our other podcasts too. To find them, simply search on your favourite podcast app.
This episode was made by Alice Aylett Roberts, Richard Moran and Tom Kavanagh. The technical producers were Mike Regaard and Phil Bull. The assistant editor is Sergi Forcada Freixas and the senior news editor is Sam Bonham.
Get the Snipd podcast app
Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode
Save any moment
Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways
Share & Export
Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode