DE S T INAT IONS
Mexico City, standing for Juntos Haremos Historia, a coalition of the left-wing Labour Party, right-wing Social Encounter Party, and social democratic National Regeneration Movement. Nicknamed “AMLO” in the local and international press, he’s regarded as a populist, a nationalist and something of a maverick, and has been described as a “foil” and “natural enemy” of Trump as well as “Juan Trump”, allegedly by Trump himself. But AMLO is no upstart and certainly not a political novice, having been active across various left-wing parties for more than 40 years. He ran for president in 2006 and lost by a hair to Felipe Calderón. As mayor of the megalopolis, he was, on the whole, a successful and occasionally inspired leader.
Eric L Olson, deputy director of the Wilson Center’s Latin American Program and senior advisor to the Center’s Mexico Institute, believes there is some room for optimism. “Like all new governments, there is a problem of vagueness about the policies to be pursued upon taking office. AMLO’s government is no exception. Nevertheless, there are some broad outlines taking shape. AMLO won an overwhelming mandate from the voters who were sick of the traditional parties, record levels of violence and outrageous corruption at every level of government. So there is a general sense of optimism that AMLO will take a fresh approach to these problems and be able to attack them in a new way. “In my view, an emphasis on the ‘soft side’ of security – economic investments, development and opportunities for youth – is much needed, but will mostly have long- term impact and may not be adequate to address the current pressing problems of high levels of violence and lack of public trust in the institutions of state, such as police and prosecutors.”
Olson points out that a planned amnesty for small producers of illicit drugs, and the possibility of creating regulated markets for some drugs, may well be a worthwhile consideration, but could fail to satisfy Mexicans’ expectations of the new government.“What is needed… is a very specific strategy to rebuild the state at local level,” argues Olson. “A centralised top-down approach, limited to building a strong federal police or a military police, does not address local problems where the state is not providing security and where it is actually crumbling.”
ECONOMIC GROWTH
Ultimately, social injustice and inequality is Mexico’s main and enduring problem. In addition to security measures, the country desperately needs economic agility, a much fairer distribution of wealth and even greater diversification.
Some major changes are already afoot. Mexico’s energy reforms, signed off by outgoing president Enrique Peña Nieto in 2013, ended 75 years of state monopoly in the local oil and gas sector. With UMSCA settled, for now at least, there is cautious optimism that private
bus ine s s tr a v el ler .c om
STAYING IN MEXICO CITY Las Alcobas Beautifully designed and subtly luxurious, this hotel is on a smart avenue in the upmarket Polanco district. A member of Marriott’s Luxury Collection, it provides guests with highly personalised service and boasts one of the best restaurants in Mexico City. Interiors are by celebrated design duo George Yabu and Glenn Pushelberg. Rooms from US$297.
lasalcobas.com
St Regis In the landmark 31-storey Torre Libertad – built by Cesar Pelli – on the throbbing Paseo de la Reforma, this is a very well-run, luxurious leisure property, with seven dining options, the Remède Spa, and an indoor swimming pool. Rooms from US$500.
marriott.com
Habita Hotel Minimalist, contemporary and very cool, Habita pioneered boutique stays in Mexico City. In the heart of Polanco, the hotel with its frosted-glass façade (right) still impresses. Inside, it’s all white, and the rooftop bar and pool are great for evening socials. Rooms from US$135.
hotelhabita.com
W Mexico City This 237-room tower in smart Polanco has the W brand’s colourful, funky décor (Frida Kahlo cushions, vibrant hues, big artworks) and a cool Hispano-Mexican culinary offering at in-house restaurant J by Jose Andres. Guests are mainly corporate, but the Living Room Bar draws in local hipsters. Nine meeting studios and a spa complete the bill. Rooms from US$257.
w-hotels.marriott.com
capital and technical expertise will rebuild the Mexican energy industry, maximise oil and gas revenues, and boost economic growth in the long term. Start-up innovation has traditionally been centred in Mexico City, as well as Monterrey and Guadalajara, but is now spreading wider. The northern city of Chihuahua, for instance, is emerging as a potential tech hub, with campus-led initiatives from the Tecnológico de Monterrey (TEC), often referred to as the MIT of Mexico. On the downside, shrinking wages, falling growth and a weakening peso were 2017 trends that need to be reversed. A lot is hanging on the incoming Mexican president as well as the current US one. But Mexico doesn’t do Brexit-style doom and gloom. In fact, says Dussel Peters, the main problem may be a tendency to be too rosy about the nation’s future prospects. “In Mexico we are witnessing huge optimism and huge expectations; these expectations, however, have to be dealt with cautiously, since no government in Mexico, including AMLO, will be able to solve most of the structural problems of Mexico’s society and economy – from corruption and inequality to poverty and security – in the short and medium term.” BT
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