AMLO Authorizes “Only Morena” to Use His Words and Image, and Calls to Support Sheinbaum

BySinEmbargo Staff

This article by SinEmbargo Staff originally appeared in the October 3, 2026 edition of SinEmbargo, a Mexican independent digital news outlet.

Mexico City, October 3 (SinEmbargo).— Former President Andrés Manuel López Obrador (AMLO) exclusively authorized Morena to use his image and his words for political and electoral purposes, in a message included at the end of his new book Pueblo (2026).

“Morena may use my words and image for political and electoral purposes: no one else,” the former president stated.

In the final chapter, titled “Transition Without Crisis,” López Obrador said farewell from his retirement in Palenque, Chiapas, with three considerations. In addition to what he said about Morena, he called for voting for the party, maintaining that it is a “guarantee of well-being for the people,” and closed with a message of support for President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo.

All of us must support, consciously but without hesitation or pettiness, our President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo, who has shown, with deeds, that she is an exceptional woman and a leader who has fulfilled our simple but transcendent political creed of not lying, not stealing and not betraying the people.

Andrés Manuel López Obrador
López Obrador, seated on a porch, holds up a copy of his book Pueblo.
López Obrador closed his book Pueblo (2026) with three considerations addressed to Morena and a message of support for the President of Mexico. Photo: Screenshot

AMLO Asks Morena to Avoid Ambitions Ahead of the Upcoming Elections

In the same chapter, the former president addressed the upcoming electoral processes and called on members of the guinda party to place the movement’s principles ahead of personal aspirations. In that context, he maintained that the party should not function as a path to obtaining public posts.

“Morena is not only a political party, an office for obtaining posts, but the main institution of public interest, created by the people for their benefit, protection and defense,” he wrote.

The Morena leader warned that no hopeful should seek a nomination “at any cost” and called for respecting the polls established in the party’s statutes. He indicated that “unbridled ambition” can end up discrediting those who put posts, money or power ahead of the movement’s principles.

“Finally, in the upcoming elections, let none of you become obstinate and want to be nominated as a candidate at any cost, without winning a poll, as Morena’s statutes establish, driven by unbridled ambition, without restraining yourselves,” he said.

President Claudia Sheinbaum speaks from a podium bearing the Mexican coat of arms.
López Obrador called for backing Claudia Sheinbaum “without hesitation or pettiness,” describing her as an exceptional woman and a leader committed to the principles of her movement. Photo: Presidencia

He also set limits on the selection of candidates, even when that could mean losing an election. As an example, he rejected the nomination of the husband or wife of an outgoing official to replace them, and questioned the choice of popular figures when there is evidence of unlawful conduct.

“We must always seek a balance between political effectiveness and principles, but there are limits. If the candidate with whom we can win is the husband or wife of the official they are going to replace, it is better to lose,” he declared.

Under that same logic, he maintained that internal unity should not be preserved at the cost of the party’s ideals and considered that the departure of those who have betrayed them does not necessarily harm the movement.

“It is important to remain united, but we also shouldn’t believe that the movement is harmed if we leave Morena after betraying the party’s ideals. Don’t forget that by keeping to principles, one wins by losing,” he concluded.