Lopez-Obrador, PES and Mexican Evangelicals

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_Encounter_Party

http://www.mexelects.com/blogeng/mexelects/lopez-obrador-and-his-troubling-alliance-with-the-far-right-pes/

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mexico-election-amlo/mexico-presidential-race-roiled-as-leftist-front-runner-embraces-right-wing-party-idUSKBN1EA00L

http://evangelicalfocus.com/world/3634/Mexico_presidential_election_winner_will_work_in_coalition_with_evangelicals

Now that Lopez-Obrador has won, we're all waiting to see what will become of him. He's been one of the big players at the centre of Mexican politics for some time and like Nixon he's one of the few able to make a successful comeback.

Many people are excited and believe he represents real reform and will put a stop to the pervasive corruption that has taken over Mexico these past couple of decades. Many hope he will end the Drug War which has largely destroyed Mexican society.

And yet as many have pointed out, during the campaign he was long on talk and yet pretty short on the details. Additionally there are many indications pointing to a reality that he's not as 'Left-wing' as many seem to think he is.

He presents no real challenge to the capitalist system and already he's made overtures to the conservatives even allowing PRI affiliates into his nascent cabinet.

Washington is watching closely and it's noteworthy that a State Department delegation made a special (and even historic) trip to Mexico City in order to meet with him. The US Establishment has successfully rolled back the so-called Pink Tide that erupted in the late 1990's as a response to decades of American domination and revelations concerning the gross tally of abuses committed by the United States during the Cold War.

At this point only a few 'Left' wing leaders are still standing. The programme largely initiated by Hugo Chavez is in a state of collapse. Does Lopez-Obrador represent a resurgence?

If he does, then you can be sure he'll be quickly marginalised and if need be brought down. To survive he may triangulate or more likely, he's not a real Leftist to begin with. The triangulation has already taken place.

What interests me in particular is the nature of his alliance with certain Mexican Evangelicals, in this case the PES. This is what bears watching.

Many were critical of the alliance. Is Lopez-Obrador trying to build a grand populist coalition? Is he 'Left' when it comes to economic issues and the poor but actually more of a conservative when it comes to social issues?

Why align with the largely Evangelical PES? It's still not clear but of course for these Evangelicals, this is the opportunity they've been waiting for. While they are minority partners in the coalition they will now have a national platform and be able to build significant name recognition. It's a gamble for them that could make them or break them but it's part of a rapidly growing trend of Evangelical involvement in Latin American politics... a trend fueled by both American Evangelical influence, theology and money.

Biblically speaking there is nothing to celebrate and in fact this pragmatic turn is perhaps even more concerning than the Dominionist goals these Pentecostals are seeking. Great harm can be done to both the cause of Christ and the witness of these churches vis-à-vis Mexican society.

But it's too early. We'll have to watch and wait and in the meantime hope and pray that leaders of a more sound and Biblical mind will arise and both oppose and expose what's happening with regard to Evangelical doctrine and the impetus to seek political power.