More than any other president before him, Lopez Mateos brought Mexico onto the international stage. During his term, Mexico received visits from eighteen heads of state, including Dwight Eisenhower, John F. Kennedy, Charles de Gaulle, Jawaharial Nehru, and Marshal Tito. Lopez Mateos’s travels took him to sixteen nations in Asia, Europe, and the western hemisphere. These trips provided him with the opportunity to proclaim Mexico’s non-alignment in the Cold War and his country’s adherence to the policies of self-determination and non-intervention. In addition to generating favorable press coverage, such travels attempted to dilute U. S. influence over Mexico. Mexico’s president traveled so widely that he was nicknamed “Lopez paseos” (“Lopez’s promenades”).41
Lopez Mateos instituted reforms, but always on his own terms. Between 1958 and 1964, social security coverage (which included health care) increased from 7.7 percent of the population to
15.9 percent. After a rail strike was crushed, the government increased wages, not only for rail workers but also for teachers, electrical workers, and oil workers. Social spending under Lopez Mateos increased to 19.2 percent of the federal budget.42
The reform measures chosen by Lopez Mateos reflected a major change in Mexico. For the first time, the 1960 census indicated that a majority of Mexicans lived in urban areas. After 1960, the promise of land reform would mean little to the majority.
Lopez Mateos’s designated successor was his Interior Secretary Gustavo Diaz Ordaz, who had the reputation of being an anti-Communist hard-liner. His candidacy received support from the Church and former President Aleman, the leader of the conservative faction in government.43
Lopez Mateos left office a popular man. He was the last president to do so for decades. Economic growth and government benefits provided during his term created optimism for the future. His public support for Cuba was well received, since it was viewed as a sign of his standing up to the United States.
World History
