Federico Reyes Heroles
Normally, power produces a loss of sense of reality. The powerful sometimes forget that they are human and make mistakes and blunders. The powerful can do a lot, but they cannot do everything—even less so if they chase ghosts. Seneca warned that “the most powerful man is the one who is master of himself.”
President Sheinbaum can take measures that will significantly benefit the country. Some would cause din and fanfare, but without foundations, without real viability, they would soon fade into oblivion. That’s where we’re coming from. Second floor? Other actions, in contrast, may seem insignificant, but they can be of great significance. In her 100 commitments and her decisions, there are several of these. Here is an example. Mexico has enormous forestry potential, forests, and jungles of precious timber. Around a quarter of our territory has this vocation. However, it is simply not an issue. Pulp and paper imports come and go.
Other small countries with poor vegetation cover export wood. In Mexico, we have the luxury of devastating – the figures vary – about half a million hectares yearly. Some social programs have brought about destruction, whether for livestock or agricultural purposes. Forest guards? They are a fiction. Mexico’s agricultural vocation is limited; only about 14% of the territory is competitive in this area. One piece of good news is that a professional has been appointed to head the National Forestry Commission: Sergio Graf. I do not know him, but his trajectory is encouraging.
We have other neglected strengths; for example, exports from the agri-food industry -mainly fruits and legumes and derivatives- are already a fantastic source of income for our economy. In 2023, they reached almost 54 billion dollars. Mining reached around 42 billion dollars. This is despite all the phytosanitary and other obstacles. But we could do much more if we really recognized our true potential. Back to timber. José Sarukhán has argued for many years that the care and cultivation of precious woods in tropical areas of our country could be a great source of wealth that would also benefit the poor communities that are the majority of the legitimate owners of those territories. The analogy is not ecological but would kill two birds with one stone: environmental care and poverty.
If Sheinbaum, with true pragmatism, stops chasing inherited entelechies and focuses on what does have a future, she could deliver a different country. She cannot raise the minimum wage again significantly without causing inflation. She cannot multiply pensions because she has no fiscal margin. But she can give a real boost to clean energy – in which we have enormous potential – and that would be a big boost to nearshoring, which is getting out of hand. Financially rebalancing, with realism, the oil and electricity industries, I insist with realism, would take away the burden of a false illusion. Scholarships for preschool, elementary, and high school in public schools, but professionally targeted, can bring greater social justice, the real kind. House-to-house medical care for the elderly has proven very effective in other countries. We have everything to do it. Decentralized distribution of medicines can bring welfare to millions. Digitalization can solve obstacles for entrepreneurs and curb corruption. Extending school hours has shown its benefits. Supporting science -sooner rather than later- will bring benefits. Returning to the universalization of health services would promote a fairer Mexico. Surgeries and laboratory tests in health centers and combating obesity, diabetes, and hypertension are the primary health problems. The list is long.
Let’s say goodbye to the entelechies. Let’s put our feet on the ground.
Further Reading: