On October 20, 2025, the political landscape of Latin America was thrown into sharp relief as Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo delivered a pointed message to her own party, Morena, in the wake of Bolivia’s presidential election. The outcome in Bolivia—where Rodrigo Paz, a center-right candidate, clinched the presidency with over 54% of the vote—ended more than two decades of leftist rule and sent ripples of concern through progressive circles across the continent. But for Sheinbaum, the real lesson lay not in the victory itself, but in the divisions that enabled it.
During her morning press conference in Mexico City, Sheinbaum did not mince words. "From the perspective of progressive movements in Latin America, it is a pity that they divided in Bolivia. That is why, for our movement, unity is very important," she said, as reported by EFE. Her tone was somber, and her gaze was firmly fixed on the future of her own party as much as on the events in Bolivia. The message, while sparked by international events, was unmistakably domestic in its intent.
The Bolivian election, held just the day before, saw Rodrigo Paz emerge victorious with 54.61% of the votes, defeating former president Jorge Tuto Quiroga, who garnered 45.39%, according to preliminary results from the Supreme Electoral Tribunal, with 97.86% of ballots counted. This decisive win brought an end to the dominance of the Movement for Socialism (MAS), the leftist party led for years by Evo Morales and, more recently, by Luis Arce. Paz is set to be inaugurated on November 8, 2025, replacing Arce and marking a significant ideological shift for the Andean nation.
Sheinbaum’s remarks, however, were less about the specifics of Bolivian politics and more about the broader perils facing leftist movements. "Sometimes unity is minimized, but speaking politically about the transformation movement, it is very important to remain united, because when you divide, you lose strength with the people, with the public," she cautioned, echoing sentiments she has voiced before. According to AM.MX, she pointedly noted, "When we divide, we lose strength with the people, with the public," a warning delivered with the urgency of someone who has witnessed the consequences firsthand.
Her words resonated deeply within Morena, which has recently been buffeted by internal squabbles, public scandals, and high-profile disputes over candidacies and party discipline. As chronicled by Excélsior, Sheinbaum’s statement was interpreted as a veiled admonition to those within her own ranks who might be tempted to prioritize personal ambition or factional interests over collective strength. The turbulence within Morena—ranging from allegations of luxury travel and ostentatious displays to accusations of ties with illicit networks—has put the party’s foundational message of austerity and transformation under strain.
For Sheinbaum, the Bolivian experience was more than just a distant electoral result; it was a cautionary tale. "Fragmentation is the greatest risk for transformation movements," she declared, drawing a direct line between the left’s defeat in Bolivia and the dangers facing her own party if unity falters. She did not congratulate Rodrigo Paz, nor did she dwell on the specifics of the Bolivian campaign. Instead, she used the moment to reinforce a central tenet of her political philosophy: "Unity is not decreed, it is constructed," a phrase she has repeated often and which, on this occasion, carried particular weight.
According to El Financiero, Sheinbaum’s call for unity was not just rhetorical. She reminded her audience that the left’s loss in Bolivia stemmed from a rupture within MAS, the party that had governed since 2006, with only a brief interruption during Jeanine Añez’s interim presidency from 2019 to 2020. The split, which saw progressive forces unable to present a united front, opened the door for Paz and the center-right to claim victory. "The Bolivian experience should serve as a lesson for Morena," Sheinbaum urged, underscoring the practical consequences of division.
Historically, Mexico has been a strong supporter of left-leaning governments throughout Latin America, and Sheinbaum herself has consistently advocated for greater regional integration from a progressive standpoint. But as recent events in Bolivia have shown, ideological affinity alone is not enough to guarantee electoral success or political longevity. The lesson, as Sheinbaum sees it, is clear: unity is both a shield and a source of strength.
Her message comes at a critical juncture for Morena. The party, which rose to power on promises of social justice, transformation, and a break from the excesses of the past, now finds itself grappling with the very challenges it once decried. Public displays of luxury, allegations of corruption, and fierce competition for political positions have all threatened to erode the party’s credibility and its connection with ordinary citizens. In this context, Sheinbaum’s warning carries more than a hint of urgency.
"Speaking politically, the movement of transformation must remain united. Because when you divide, it is when you lose strength with the people, with the public," she reiterated, as reported by El Universal. The implication was unmistakable: the fate of Bolivia’s left could easily become Morena’s own if lessons are not heeded and internal cohesion is not prioritized.
Beyond the immediate political calculus, Sheinbaum’s remarks also reflect a broader anxiety among progressive leaders in the region. The past two decades have seen a wave of leftist governments rise to prominence across Latin America, but recent years have brought a series of setbacks and reversals. The Bolivian election is only the latest example of how quickly fortunes can change when unity gives way to infighting and fragmentation.
For many observers, Sheinbaum’s intervention is a timely reminder that political movements are only as strong as their sense of common purpose. As she put it, "Unity is very important," a sentiment that resonates not just in Mexico, but across a continent where the stakes of division have rarely been higher.
As Rodrigo Paz prepares to assume the Bolivian presidency on November 8, progressive leaders throughout Latin America are taking stock. For Claudia Sheinbaum and Morena, the message is simple but stark: unity is not a luxury, but a necessity. The events in Bolivia have made that lesson all too clear.