In general, the criticism of López Obrador’s tears has seemed simplistic and unfortunate. There is nothing wrong with a president showing that he can be empathetic. The most powerful moments of Barack Obama’s presidency, for example, saw him shed tears. This is how it happened after the Sandy Hook tragedy and the horrific death of dozens of children.
Therein lies, perhaps, the essential nuance. While Obama cried for the pain of others, López Obrador cries for his own pain.
The contrast with the objective and terrible pain that Mexico has suffered during his government also leaves it in a bad light. The president has not been seen to be moved with this intensity at any time when he has had to comment on the death of hundreds of thousands of Mexicans from the pandemic or tens of thousands from violence. Confronted with victims, he has been rigid, even unforgiving.
