Colosio Riojas Calls for Generational Shift in Mexican Politics
Mexico City – Senator Luis Donaldo Colosio Riojas, a rising figure within the Citizens’ Movement (MC) party, signaled a potential generational shift in Mexican politics on Sunday, asserting the need for “a change of generation, not just a change of party.” The statement, delivered at the sixth assembly of the National Coordination of Municipal Authorities of MC, comes as Colosio Riojas weighs a possible candidacy for the governorship of either Sonora or Nuevo León in the 2027 elections.
Colosio Riojas’s remarks coincided with the 31st anniversary of the assassination of his father, Luis Donaldo Colosio Murrieta, the Institutional Revolutionary Party’s (PRI) presidential candidate in 1994. Acknowledging the significance of the date, Colosio Riojas framed his political ambitions as a way to honor his father’s legacy, stating that the best way to remember the past is to “work for a future” that embodies the ideals his father championed – a more just, strong, and dignified Mexico.
The Senator’s speech has been interpreted by some observers as a deliberate positioning for a future presidential run, potentially in 2030, according to reporting in Político.mx. He emphasized the importance of building a national movement, stating, “This work that we do together is what will lead us to build a national movement in 2027, in 2030, but starting today.”
Beyond his potential electoral strategy, Colosio Riojas used a public appearance on March 22nd to call for a re-evaluation of the case surrounding his father’s murder. He urged authorities to cease “profiting politically” from the tragedy and even requested a pardon for Mario Aburto, the man convicted of the assassination. He framed this request as a step towards national healing, suggesting that a pardon could allow Mexico to move forward. This call for clemency was directed at President Claudia Sheinbaum, according to Milenio.
Colosio Riojas served as mayor of Monterrey from September 2021 until February 2024, preceded by Adrián de la Garza and succeeded by Betsabé Rocha Nieto (interim). Prior to his mayoral role, he was a deputy in the Congress of Nuevo León from 2018 to 2021. He assumed his current position as a Senator for Nuevo León on September 1, 2024, replacing Víctor Oswaldo Fuentes Solís. His political career began in local politics before ascending to the national stage with Citizens’ Movement.
The Senator also commented on the growth of his party, Movimiento Ciudadano, and the potential for success in the 2027 elections, while also expressing respect for President Sheinbaum. He also referenced a positive relationship with former Jalisco Governor Enrique Alfaro, noting Alfaro’s contentment with a new role as a football coach.