In Año Siete, el legado de la catástrofe, Mexican journalist Manuel López San Martín delivers a piercing critique of the aftermath of Andrés Manuel López Obrador’s presidency. The title refers to the symbolic “seventh year” following AMLO’s six-year term—an era in which his influence, decisions, and political legacy continue to shape Mexico’s trajectory despite his formal exit from office.
The book argues that although AMLO vowed to disappear from public life after his term ended, his presence remains palpable through the officials he appointed and the policies he left behind. López San Martín paints a bleak picture of a country grappling with the consequences of unchecked populism, rampant corruption, and the growing power of organized crime.
Among the most damning assessments are failures in flagship projects, such as the Dos Bocas refinery, the Tren Maya, and the so-called “mega pharmacy,” which the author claims have become economic sinkholes. He also highlights the SEGALMEX scandal—described as the largest corruption case in Mexico’s history—as emblematic of the administration’s broken promises.
The book doesn’t shy away from sensitive topics: it explores alleged ties between AMLO’s inner circle and drug cartels, the erosion of press freedom, and the marginalization of victims’ families and civil society groups. López San Martín contends that Claudia Sheinbaum, Mexico’s first female president, inherits a fragile state “held together by rusted pins,” and must navigate the shadow of her predecessor’s enduring influence.
Año Siete is both a journalistic autopsy and a cautionary tale, offering readers a sobering reflection on the cost of political absolutism and the challenges of democratic recovery in a deeply divided nation.
Source: Péndulo
