Thousands of people crowd the Angel of Independence to accompany AMLO on his return to march

Tens of thousands of Mexicans accompanied the president on Sunday Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador in a massive march through the center of the country’s capital to show their support for the policies of the president who, next week, will enter his penultimate year in office.

With “we support you” banners and slogans like “It is an honor to be with Obrador”the protesters came from various parts of the country and filled the blocks as they advanced from the Angel of Independence towards the Zócalo of CDMX, where the president will deliver a speech for his fourth year in government.

AMLO denies that this Sunday’s march is a response to the opposition challenge on November 13 and assures that it is to “celebrate” achievements in the social, economic and even security spheres.

After the march, which he considers an opportunity to “strengthen” his “transformation movement,” the president will present his annual report in the Zócalo, the country’s main public square where the walk will culminate.

“I am an obradorista, not a morenista. I came on my own and I am impressed with the number of people,” said Vivian Martínez, a 56-year-old housewife. “(The president) has done many good things but cleaning up 80 years of garbage is not easy. More time is needed,” she added, referring to the governments that preceded the president.

López Obrador assumed the presidency at the end of 2018 vowing to end the violence and corruption that plague the country. Despite the fact that his approval is close to 60%, the 69-year-old president has not made significant progress in these matters.

Two weeks ago, thousands came out to protest in various cities of the country against a controversial AMLO electoral reform. The proposal is seen by its detractors as a mechanism to weaken the National Electoral Institute (INE), by reducing its budget and changing the way its councilors are elected, although the ruler assures that he will bring more democracy to the country.

During Sunday’s march, the opposition complained that many were “hauled”, people who are taken in buses or trucks and paid for their participation.

Based on internal documents, the daily The universal He published a note on Saturday where he assures that the members of the National Guard, the military police, were forced to attend the demonstration “without excuse or pretext.”

“AMLO complains about the salaries of the INE advisers, who offend the people, that it is necessary to make democracy cheaper. With what his march will cost to soothe his ego, the salary of the 11 INE advisers would be paid for 43 years and 3 months,” wrote columnist Sergio Negrete.