AMLO rose to prominence in Mexican politics over the past 20
years by espousing socialistic and nationalist policies. His focus
on the needs of the general population and how globalisation and
the opening of Mexico's energy sector to increased foreign
investment has failed the working poor has made him a beacon of
hope for the masses and a champion of national pride.
His election comes at an interesting time for Mexico given that
the administration of President Enrique Peña Nieto
instituted historical changes with the increased involvement of the
private sector in hydrocarbon exploitation and exploration.
President Peña Nieto's policies also transformed the
operations of Petróleos Mexicanos (Pemex), Mexico's
national oil company, and Comisión Federal de Electricidad
(CFE), its national electricity company.