Overview

• This week, Colombian President Gustavo Petro posted on X that Andrés Manuel López Obrador had lifted roughly 13 million people out of poverty in Mexico.
• The statement follows INEGI data showing the national poverty rate fell from 41.9% in 2018 to 29.6% in 2024 under López Obrador’s administration.
• Petro contrasted Mexico’s reported 13.4 million people lifted out of poverty with his government’s claim of 2.6 million Colombians removed from poverty.
• Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum credited the drop to Fourth Transformation policies including minimum wage increases and expanded social programs.
• Analysts say the public exchange highlights growing alignment among Latin American progressive leaders through shared social policy narratives.