Hypocrisy? Leftist Leader Treated In Luxury Clinic

He just survived a heart attack.

But criticism poured down on Mexican leftist leader Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador nevertheless, after social media users learned that the 60-year-old politician sought treatment in one of the country’s most expensive private hospitals.

Lopez Obrador, a fierce opponent of the privatization of medical services [and the privatization of almost anything else] in Mexico, was interned at the luxurious Medica Sur hospital in Mexico City in the early hours of Tuesday morning, after surviving a non-lethal heart attack caused by high blood pressure, one of his sons told journalists.

The facility, which includes a small hotel for medical tourists, only takes patients with private insurance plans, or those who can cover the high costs of treatment, which can reach thousands of dollars for Lopez Obrador’s current condition.

On social media, critics of Lopez Obrador mocked the leftist leader for seeking treatment in a private hospital, and accused him of not practicing what he preaches, which in this case would’ve been to seek help in a public hospital.

“Why does the candidate of the people, not go to the hospital of the people,” wrote twitter user @Marianuky_nuky.

“He surely headed to Medica Sur, so that when he is president, we will all have the same priviledges,” another user wrote.

Lopez Obrador came in second place in Mexico’s last presidential election. He has led huge rallies against plans to privatize medicine and break down teacher unions in Mexico, and is currently one of the staunchest opponents of plans to open Mexico’s oil sector to private companies.

During his last two presidential campaigns, Lopez Obrador promised to impose austerity plans, that would include reducing the salaries of top officials by up to 50%. He also said that he would take away private health insurance plans given to officials by the government of Mexico.

While he was mayor of Mexico City, Lopez Obrador also said that private sector healthcare had become so expensive in Mexico, that with his monthly earnings as the city’s mayor he could not afford “one day of therapy” at one of the city’s private hospitals.

For the moment, it seems like Lopez Obrador has enough funds to be treated at one of Mexico City’s finest private clinics, and can afford the luxury of forgoing the long lines at the city’s public hospitals.

Perhaps his attitude to private medicine will change after this experience.

Manuel Rueda is a correspondent for Fusion, covering Mexico and South America. He travels from donkey festivals, to salsa clubs to steamy places with cartel activity.