Mexico City – As Mexico’s 2027 intermediate elections loom, a notable shift is occurring within the country’s political landscape: governors from opposition parties are increasingly distancing themselves from PRI leader Alito Moreno and subtly aligning with the popularity of President claudia Sheinbaum. This trend, reported by El País, suggests a strategic calculation by regional leaders seeking to insulate themselves from potential scrutiny from the United States and prioritize domestic political concerns.
The dynamic is fueled by the Sheinbaum administration’s firm stance against drug trafficking – a key distinction from her predecessor, Andrés Manuel López Obrador.Experts like political analyst Martínez suggest the U.S. government’s recent cancellation of the visa for the Morena governor of Baja California and her husband signals a willingness to target corruption networks, creating incentives for governors to align with federal policies. “The governors are sighted by the United States government…This generates incentives to align with federal government policies,” Martínez stated.
This leaves Alito Moreno, head of the PRI, increasingly isolated. While he has remained publicly silent, he has engaged in actions contrasting Sheinbaum’s policies, such as a recent meeting with Peruvian President Dina Boluarte amidst a dispute where the Peruvian Congress initiated steps to declare Sheinbaum persona non grata for her support of former Peruvian President Pedro Castillo.Simultaneously occurring, Sheinbaum benefits from support from state leaders, offering a boost as her party, Morena, navigates internal challenges related to accusations of drug trafficking and austerity concerns surrounding figures like Adam Augusto López, Fernández Noroña, and Andy López Beltrán.
Political analyst Espejel notes the appeal of Sheinbaum’s high approval ratings for governors, contrasting it with López Obrador’s position at a similar point in his presidency. “Any governor would want a little of the high levels [de aceptación] that Sheinbaum has, who neither at the time had López Obrador,” Espejel said, pointing to the potential motivations of figures like Villegas as they consider future gubernatorial elections.