New president in Mexico promises radical change
First leftist to take office in country in a generation tries to reassure business after markets crashed since his election
Mexico City — Veteran leftist Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador was sworn in as Mexican president on Saturday, promising a radical change of regime in a country struggling with gang violence, chronic poverty and corruption on the doorstep of the US. Backed by a giant Mexican flag, the 65-year-old took the oath of office in Mexico’s lower house of Congress, saying his administration will overturn what he called the disastrous legacy of decades of “neo-liberal” governments. “Starting now, transformation is under way, ordered and peaceful, but at the same time radical because we will end the corruption and impunity that impede Mexico’s rebirth,” he said. The first leftist to take office in Mexico in a generation also tried to reassure business after markets crashed since the July 1 election on worries about his policies, including the abrupt cancellation of a $13bn airport project. Lopez Obrador reiterated that investments in the country of 130-million people will be safe, and vowed to respe...
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