Mexico City’s metro system. Photo: Google

By KELIN DILLON

After the tragic collapse of Mexico City’s Line 12 metro, which the public pointedly blamed on the capital’s government, President Andrés Manuel López Obrador (AMLO) on Thursday, June 10, announced the federal government’s commitment to assist in its reconstruction and reopening.

During his daily morning press conference, López Obrador said he would be meeting with Mexico City Mayor Claudia Sheinbaum to discuss the issue and create a dialogue of support with those affected by the crash.

“We will get Line 12 operational as soon as possible,” said AMLO on the collaboration.

In his conference the day previous, López Obrador noted how the crash did not affect the residents in the crash’s area, Tláhuac and Iztapalapa, from voting for his leftist National Regeneration Movement (Morena) during the elections on June 6.

“In the case of Line 12, the most affected, the humble, hard-working, good people of Iztapalapa and Tláhuac, understand that these things unfortunately happen and the crash did not impact politically or electorally,” he said at the time.

However, Sunday’s vote took a number of seats away from Morena in the capital, essentially splitting the district down the middle. Some say AMLO’s quick attempt at federal aid to the Line 12 crash is an attempt to maintain control of and grow support for Morena in Mexico City, and help Sheinbaum regain her grip on the country’s economic center. 

Sheinbaum is seen by most Mexican political analysts as a frontrunner for the Morena candidate for president in 2024.