Mexico's 1988 Election: Cárdenas Affirms Victory, Salinas Reacts in New Documentary

Documentary Reopens Debate on Mexico's 1988 Presidential Election A recent excerpt from the Televisa documentary "PRI: Crónica del fin" (2025), directed by Denise Maerker, has reignited discussions surrounding Mexico's highly controversial 1988 presidential election. The segment features interviews with two central figures of that historical moment: Cuauhtémoc Cárdenas and Carlos Salinas de Gortari. In the clip, Cárdenas is directly questioned about his belief regarding the election's outcome. "Do you think you won that election?" the interviewer asks. Cárdenas responds unequivocally, "I think so, Denise." This statement underscores a long-held conviction among many of his supporters that the election was marred by fraud. The documentary then presents the same question to Carlos Salinas de Gortari, who was officially declared the winner. As the question is posed – "He said yes, did he say yes?" – Salinas is shown in a moment of contemplation, his expression shifting subtly before a slight, almost imperceptible, smile appears. This non-verbal response has drawn considerable attention, prompting viewers to interpret his reaction in light of the historical allegations of a "system crash" that occurred during the vote counting, which many believe paved the way for Salinas's victory. The documentary, which explores the decline of the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI) from 1976 to the present, includes testimonies from numerous individuals connected to the party's history. This particular segment highlights the enduring impact and unresolved questions surrounding the 1988 election, a pivotal event that continues to shape Mexico's political landscape.

‘PRI: Crónica del Fin’ “desnuda” a Salinas de Gor…

‘PRI: Crónica del Fin’ “desnuda” a Salinas de Gortari y Cuauhtémoc Cárdenas sob…

El segundo capítulo del documental descifra uno de los momentos más polémicos de la democracia en México.