PAN's progressivism, a betrayed right-wing, and the birth of hope.

If you were asked: Has the right ever governed in Mexico? What would you answer? Yes? No?

I had never considered it until recently, when I heard a speech by the elusive AMLO, in which he claimed that the right is responsible for all the country's problems. Obviously, it was the typical attack from the left that amounted to nothing more than an empty accusation, but it made me seriously reflect on that question. Has the right really governed in Mexico? Let's analyze it.

First, I will present a harsh but necessary criticism of the current Mexican "right." Then, I will offer some historical context, and finally I will present what I consider the hope for a new right in Mexico.

Let's start at the beginning.

We need to talk about PAN. The Partido Acción Nacional usually presents itself as the guardian of conservative values in Mexico. However, in recent times its members and leaders have taken actions or made statements that are somewhat... left-leaning. Their actions have caused a lot of confusion, not to say betrayal, among the right-wing electorate.

I will mention some specific cases to better understand.

For example, Jorge Romero, national leader of PAN. I had not heard of him before. I only knew that he is from PAN, but in some of his statements, instead of questioning Morena, he seems to defend it. In an interview, he repeated the official narrative about Claudia Sheinbaum and migrants in the US, adopting the government's narrative instead of confronting it. This is an attitude typical of progressivism, not of the right.

Another example is Ricardo Anaya and his strange crusade against Trump...

Ricardo Anaya, former presidential candidate and now Senator for PAN, has strongly attacked Trump. He said that "the threat is real" and accused the US president of "attacking" Mexican migrants.

His speech completely contrasts with the right-wing line and makes it seem more like a lukewarm centrist or progressive stance.

On many occasions, the phrase "the enemy of my enemy is my friend" is used to justify alliances and defeat a common enemy, but it sometimes seems that Anaya is more concerned about the US president than about Morena's banana socialists.

Even Xóchitl Gálvez, former PAN presidential candidate, declared herself center-left.

With that context, it is clear that the Mexican "right" leans more toward the center or center-left. Basically, we do not currently have a right-wing party in Mexico, and that brings us back to the initial question: Has the right ever governed in Mexico?

Historically, the PAN experience failed to build a solid or coherent right. PRI, despite being called "center" or "center-left," embodies clientelism that is more left-wing.

During the 70 years that PRI governed, left-wing policy practices were more frequently seen: such as nationalization of companies, clientelist social support, state presence in key areas of the economy. That is, in Mexico, only the center, center-left, and socialist left have governed.

Do not say that "Díaz Ordaz despised communists, he was right-wing," because he really was not. Although yes, he hated communists, that did not make him a capitalist right-winger. That famous Austrian painter also despised them and was not right-wing.

As we can see, in Mexico that capitalist right has not really governed, and perhaps that is what has been missing for the country to move forward.

Perhaps, then, we are facing a new opportunity. That political vacuum must begin to be filled by a true right-wing party because it will find support.

New political parties that emerge amid chaos claim the place that belongs to the Mexican right:Movimiento Viva México and México Republicano.

Both defend, to a greater or lesser extent, the ideas of freedom. Both parties believe in meritocracy and individual virtues, in the rule of law and traditional values. In addition, their candidacies are beginning to gain ground among those who no longer feel represented by PAN or Morena, nor by any other lukewarm or radical leftist party.

This is the moment to build an authentic right

Morena and the progressive left advance without real counterbalance, and PAN, in its lukewarmness, has paved the way for them. We need to reorganize. It is time for critical PAN members to recognize that they are not alone.Movimiento Viva México and México Republicano offer a clear and firm option for the true Mexican right, which must come together.

This is not just about values, but about building strong institutions. The Mexican right needs a deep renewal, with vision, ethics, and determination to confront Morena.

The current PAN leaves me with mixed feelings. Its actions have been lukewarm and its direction, confusing. But there is still hope if forces are joined with authentic right-wing institutions.

This is the time to rebuild a coherent conservative bloc. Let us unite our voice, our vote, and our vision. Because Mexico deserves a firm, conscious, and forward-looking right.