Cuauhtémoc Cárdenas 1934 - 2026
30 October 2026
The Socialist International mourns Cuauhtémoc Cárdenas. A great loss for Mexico, for Latin America and for our movement
We are deeply saddened by the passing of Cuauhtémoc Cárdenas, our Honorary President. A man of firm principles, he devoted his life to peaceful, democratic change.
- 1980: Governor of Michoacán, until 1986
- 1988: Led the movement for democratic renewal in Mexico
- 1989: Co-founder of the Party of the Democratic Revolution (PRD)
- 1997: First elected Head of Government of Mexico City
- 2017: Named Honorary President of the Socialist International
He stood for: Democracy · Social justice · National sovereignty · Dignity of working people
His legacy will continue to guide all who struggle for democracy and social justice.
The Socialist International has learned with deep sadness of the passing of Cuauhtémoc Cárdenas, Honorary President of our organisation, who died in Mexico City on 28 October 2026 at the age of 92.
Cuauhtémoc Cárdenas was one of the great democratic figures of Mexico and of Latin America. Son of President Lázaro Cárdenas, he served as a Senator and as Governor of Michoacán before leading, in the late 1980s, a movement for democratic renewal that changed the political life of his country. In 1989 he co-founded the Party of the Democratic Revolution (PRD), and he was three times a candidate for the presidency of Mexico. In 1997 he became the first elected Head of Government of Mexico City.
Throughout his life he stood for democracy, social justice, national sovereignty and the dignity of working people. His commitment to peaceful, democratic change inspired millions of Mexicans and earned him respect far beyond his country’s borders.
Within the Socialist International, his experience, his wisdom and his loyalty to our shared values were invaluable. In 2017, our XXV Congress in Cartagena, Colombia, recognised his contribution by naming him an Honorary President of the International.
On behalf of the entire Socialist International family, we extend our heartfelt condolences to his children, his family, his friends and comrades, and to the people of Mexico. His legacy will continue to guide all those who struggle for democracy and social justice.
