By John Q. Hosedrinker 
A recent report released by Mexico’s national statistics agency revealed that former president Andrés Manuel López Obrador’s welfare policies significantly reduced poverty. During his six-year term, the number of Mexicans living below the poverty line decreased by 13.4 million, a nearly 26% reduction, and extreme poverty also declined. These achievements were largely due to initiatives like increased minimum wage and cash transfers for the elderly and other vulnerable groups. However, the report also highlighted a substantial increase in the number of people without access to healthcare, indicating that despite progress, challenges remain.
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‘Historic’: how Mexico’s welfare policies helped 13.4 million people out of poverty, that’s quite the achievement, and it’s something that deserves a close look. The story isn’t often told, and it’s definitely not the kind of narrative that dominates the headlines. But when you delve into the details, it becomes clear that Mexico has implemented significant policy changes, especially regarding social welfare.
While the focus here is on poverty reduction, it’s worth briefly noting some other interesting shifts, like the efforts to improve public health. For instance, Mexico has taken steps to curb childhood obesity by banning cartoon characters on sugary cereal boxes and restricting the sale of overly sugary snacks in schools. They’ve also implemented a tax on sugary drinks, which resulted in a noticeable decrease in soda consumption. Considering the average Mexican drinks an astonishing amount of soda per year, this is a notable achievement.
The success of these programs is even more impressive when you consider the political landscape. You wouldn’t hear a lot of cheering from certain political circles in the US. There might even be accusations of “extremist left-wing communism.” But the fact is, these policies have had a demonstrable impact. They seem to have been implemented effectively, and without the country’s economy collapsing or being the target of international economic sanctions.
One of the key elements of Mexico’s welfare strategy appears to be the introduction of programs reminiscent of social security for the elderly and the increase of the minimum wage. These are basic, but essential, tools for poverty reduction. It’s interesting to see how something like this can get lost in the political noise, where both sides of the political spectrum may have their own reasons for not wanting to acknowledge successes. It is an interesting quandary, indeed.
The truth is that these programs have provided much needed support to millions of Mexicans. These results should be celebrated, no matter the political leanings. The fact that these programs are achieving the goal of poverty reduction means that they are working for the people. It is easy to criticize, but it is harder to take action that helps so many people.
It’s also important to be aware of the complexities of the situation in Mexico. One has to admit that it’s not a completely rosy picture. There are serious challenges, like the ongoing issues with organized crime and violence. This is a very real and very serious issue that shouldn’t be ignored. It’s a reminder that there are always multiple layers to the story.
But, looking at the bigger picture, the evidence is clear: Mexico’s welfare policies have had a profoundly positive impact. While some may dismiss it, the numbers don’t lie. Millions of people have been lifted out of poverty, and that is a significant achievement.
It’s a story that challenges preconceived notions and reminds us that effective policy can come from unexpected places. It’s a story that, despite the political noise, should be celebrated.