On the horizon

Sheinbaum begins her second year, plus who's training for the apocalypse in Michoacán?

Welcome to The Mexpatriate.

When President Claudia Sheinbaum was asked by a reporter to describe her first year in office with one adjective on Oct. 1, she chose a noun instead: “I believe the most important thing is to maintain conviction.” Her resilience and popularity as a leader are clear, with a 78% approval according to Enkoll, surpassing even López Obrador and surprisingly high even among members of opposition parties. She’s weathered a tumultuous first year, but her convictions will only be further challenged as the scope of her power grows.

Sheinbaum had precious little time to reflect as the first day of her second year started with the detention of six Mexican citizens in Israel after the Global Sumud Flotilla was intercepted by the Israeli navy off the coast of Gaza in international waters; the Mexican government called on Israel to immediately release the citizens who “committed no crime,” as Sheinbaum said. As of writing, Mexico’s Department of Foreign Relations (SRE) has confirmed the repatriation process is underway.

Solidarity with the Palestinian cause as protests erupted in cities around the globe was also very visible in the demonstrations in remembrance of the Tlatelolco student massacre on Oct. 2, 1968 in Mexico City, which drew thousands of participants and ended with 94 police officers and 29 civilians injured.

In today’s newsletter (below the paywall), I try not to drown diving into the controversial amparo reform and cover arrests related to the Guadalajara-based La Luz del Mundo church.

Another week, another reform

The writ of “amparo,” a form of constitutional injunction designed to protect citizens from abuses of power, has served as a versatile multiusos in Mexico’s legal system; used to protect the rights of some, and to delay justice for others.