Mexican Fourth Transformation marks seven historic years as President Claudia Sheinbaum celebrates deep social change, democracy and hope from the Zócalo.

Related: Claudia Sheinbaum Leads Mexican Revolution Day Parade

The Mexican Fourth Transformation was celebrated in Mexico City with a massive gathering in the Zócalo, where President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo reaffirmed her commitment to keep hope alive and to protect the political project that has redefined the country’s recent history. Addressing more than 600,000 people, she described Mexico as “an example to the world”, and insisted that the nation is “still making history” seven years after the beginning of this transformative process under former President Andrés Manuel López Obrador.

In a keynote speech summarizing what the Mexican Fourth Transformation has meant for the country, and reflecting on the first year of her own administration, Sheinbaum greeted the thousands of young people who joined the march and the rally. Their presence, she stressed, demonstrates that despite ongoing attempts at media manipulation, youth in Mexico largely support the transformation of public life and are willing to defend it in the streets and at the ballot box.

Sheinbaum emphasized that those gathered in the Zócalo came together to “celebrate seven years of the beginning of a new era in the country.” She recalled that in 2018, the Mexican people made a “wise and courageous decision” by choosing to start a new phase of national refoundation with López Obrador at the helm. For the president, this decision laid the groundwork for the Mexican Fourth Transformation, a project that seeks to rebuild institutions, restore social rights, and place the state at the service of the majority.

As the central key to change, Sheinbaum highlighted the separation of economic power from political power. According to her, this shift made it possible to move from a country governed by an oligarchy—where institutions served the interests of a privileged few—to a real democracy where the government works for everyone, especially those who need it the most. Within the framework of the Mexican Fourth Transformation, she argued that this principle has guided policies aimed at reducing inequality and strengthening social justice.

Mexican Fourth Transformation marks seven years of historic change

The president recalled that decades of neoliberalism entrenched corruption, privilege, and exclusion. She stated that 36 years of neoliberal policies deeply damaged the homeland, producing poverty, inequality, the transfer of natural resources into private hands, the erosion of national sovereignty and a rise in violence. By contrast, the Mexican Fourth Transformation seeks to reverse those trends by recovering strategic sectors, expanding social programs, and reorienting public spending toward marginalized communities.

Sheinbaum acknowledged that conservative groups are now resisting change, trying to slow or reverse the advances achieved in recent years. However, she asserted that these sectors “will not be able to stop it” because “Mexico has already changed and the government is here to serve the people.” For her, the depth of the Mexican Fourth Transformation lies not only in institutional reforms, but in the political consciousness of millions of citizens who no longer accept a return to the old regime.

The president also addressed the disinformation campaigns directed against her administration and the broader project of transformation. She accused segments of the national elite—accustomed to wielding absolute power during the neoliberal era—of financing smear campaigns, bots and propaganda strategies to distort reality and present Mexico as a country lacking freedom and democracy. In the context of the Mexican Fourth Transformation, these tactics are seen as attempts to delegitimize popular mandates and progressive reforms.

Despite these attacks, Sheinbaum issued a firm warning: no matter how many smear campaigns they deploy, or how many digital tools they use, they will not defeat the Mexican people or their president. She insisted that Mexico today is more democratic, more participatory and more attentive to social rights than in the past, and that this new political culture is one of the lasting achievements of the Mexican Fourth Transformation.

She underscored that the government’s strength lies in its principles and historical memory. “We have principles and a patriotic history that shows that when causes are just, values are firm and the people are conscious, transformations and justice always prevail,” she said. In this sense, the Mexican Fourth Transformation is presented as the latest chapter in a long trajectory of struggles—from independence to the revolution—through which Mexicans have defended sovereignty and social rights.

One year after taking office, Sheinbaum argued that a fair and inclusive government is taking shape, one that articulates a national project that unites and represents the majority. She stressed that the Mexican Fourth Transformation demonstrates that progress is not at odds with environmental protection or social demands, but can advance alongside climate responsibility and long-standing demands for dignity, equality and recognition from various social sectors.

Youth and popular support sustain the Mexican Fourth Transformation

In her view, the Mexican Fourth Transformation has proven that “a country can develop without leaving anyone behind.” This notion underpins policies aimed at integrating historically excluded groups, including indigenous peoples, rural communities, women, young people and urban poor. The government’s message is that economic growth, infrastructure projects and technological modernization must be compatible with redistribution, cultural rights and environmental sustainability.

From the Zócalo, Sheinbaum sought to consolidate the political legitimacy of her administration and of the Mexican Fourth Transformation as a whole. The massive turnout, she suggested, reflects popular support for continuity of the transformative agenda and for defending the social achievements made since 2018. Her speech connected everyday improvements—such as expanded social programs and wage increases—with the broader historical narrative of a country choosing justice over privilege.

At the same time, she acknowledged that the process is ongoing and faces powerful adversaries. The Mexican Fourth Transformation, she argued, is not a finished chapter but a living project that requires ongoing civic engagement, vigilance and participation. She called on the crowd to remain organized, informed and active, emphasizing that defending democracy and social rights is an everyday task.

Internationally, Sheinbaum presented the Mexican Fourth Transformation as a reference point for other nations seeking to combine democracy, sovereignty and social justice. She reiterated that Mexico is “an example before the world”, not because it claims perfection, but because it has dared to confront entrenched interests, reduce poverty and expand rights through democratic means. In this narrative, Mexico stands as proof that it is possible to challenge neoliberal orthodoxy while respecting electoral processes and pluralism.

The president’s message also contained a regional dimension, situating the Mexican Fourth Transformation within the broader Latin American search for models of development that prioritize people over markets. She noted that, in a global context marked by inequality, climate crisis and social unrest, experiences like Mexico’s offer valuable lessons on the role of the state, citizen participation and social policies.

As the event drew to a close, Sheinbaum reiterated that the Mexican Fourth Transformation is anchored in ethical principles, historical memory and popular backing. She urged supporters not to be discouraged by media attacks or conservative resistance, insisting that the future of the country depends on deepening rather than retreating from the path chosen in 2018. The rally ended with chants and banners reaffirming the commitment to continue making history from below and with the people.

https://news.un.org/en/news/topic/human-rightslaprensa​
https://www.oas.org/en/member_states/country_profile_mexico.aspelheraldo​
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america- Mexico-politicslinkedin

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