Mexico's power consolidation and Colombia's contested transition raise democratic concerns

In Mexico, the political movement known as the “Fourth Transformation” led by Andrés Manuel López Obrador and continued by Claudia Sheinbaum has amassed control of the presidency, a legislative majority, many state governments and significant influence over institutions that should be independent. Critics warn that the concentration of power threatens checks and balances, and that ambiguous concepts such as “foreign influence” could be used to curb opposition, journalists and civil society.

In Colombia, the end‑of‑term hand‑over between outgoing officials and President‑elect Gustavo Petro has become a political battleground. The suspension of the traditional “empalme,” statements about possible prosecution of the president and remarks that the outgoing administration does not recognise the elected vice‑president have sparked a crisis of political recognition. Analysts note that Colombia lacks a specific law governing presidential transitions, relying only on a generic public‑office hand‑over statute, and call for stronger institutional rules. The vice‑president‑elect emphasized that “the hand‑over does not stop; we will continue with forensic audits and technical analysis.” Both countries face heightened polarization that challenges democratic norms and institutions.