Castizo-Criollo Strength Party
The Castizo-Criollo Strength Party (Spanish: Partido Fuerza Castizo-Criolla), also known as FC2P, is a Mejican political party. Founded in 2017, FC2P is a far-right, ethnocratic party that emphasizes the promotion and preservation of Castizo and Criollo cultural identities, espousing a "post-Vasconcelist" vision. The party gained significant attention during the 2022 legislative elections, where it nearly doubled its seats in the Mejican Chamber of Deputies, from 22 to 40 members.
The party was founded and is currently led by Onésimo Szmodics, an alt-tech social media personality known for his charismatic and polarizing leadership style. FC2P was founded by a group of dissidents dissatisfied with the orthodox Vasconcelism of the Mejican Democratic Party, and with the "pluralistic" policies of Marcelo Ebrard's presidency. Highly ethnocentric, the party advocates for policies that prioritize the interests of individuals with Castizo or Criollo heritage. This emphasis on ethnic identity and cultural preservation has attracted both fervent support and intense criticism.
Some commentators have remarked on the beginnings of FC2P as being rooted in the alt-tech movement and the broader Derecha+ online community. Alt-tech refers to alternative platforms that cater to audiences either censored or marginalized by mainstream social media platforms. Derecha+ is a collective of right-wing individuals and groups that leverage these technologies to advance their agendas, often more radical than the traditional right wing. During the mid-2010s, several such platforms emerged as spaces for those feeling trampled by censorship and became a breeding ground for the dissemination of ethno-nationalist and ultra-conservative ideas. Onésimo Szmódics was a prominent figure within these circles and created organizations and networks that laid the groundwork for what eventually became FC2P.
The roots of FC2P's ideology lie in Vasconcelism, referring to the ideology and style of governance of Mejican dictator José Vasconcelos (g. 1930-1959). The ideology of Castizaje, fiercely promoted by Vasconcelos, centered around the amalgamation of European and Indigenous cultures, promoting a singular national identity that celebrated the blend of these heritages. While traditional Vasconcelism sees Indigenous peoples as a crucial component of Mejican identity, unorthodox Vasconcelists, also known as post-Vasconcelists, apply a more radical and exclusionary view that prioritizes Castizo and Criollo heritage.
Among the main pointers in the FC2's platform include the return of the "pueblos and villas system" and the creation of ethno-pluralist "repúblicas", referring to the Repúblicas de Españoles and Repúblicas de Indios, which would effectively segregate Mejico along ethnic lines while promoting cultural preservation. The FC2P's platform promotes various reforms aimed at re-establishing a traditional social hierarchy reminiscent of the Spanish caste system, favoring Castizo and Criollo identities. The party's stance on immigration is one of exclusivity - the party advocates for mass deportations of illegal migrants, and advocates for moratoriums to be placed on all "non-approved countries". Regarding the Iberoamerican Commonwealth of Nations, the FC2P promotes the creation of a polysynodial regime, emphasizing decentralized governance based on ethnic and cultural distinctions within the commonwealth.
Politically, there are no other major parties that align with the FC2P. The Mejican Democratic Party, widely considered to be far-right, held an internal vote to unanimously reject any coalition or cooperation with FC2P due to its radical policies and divisive rhetoric. The MDP, which espouses a more traditional form of Vasconcelism, considers the ethnocentric views of the FC2P to be incompatible with Mejican values and social cohesion. The growth of the party has been observed with concern by the Mejican political establishment, and many consider Szmódics to be an aspiring dictator.
The voter profile of FC2 encompasses a largely homogenous group, unified by ethnocentric priorities and a reactionary stance against what they perceive as the social and political dilution of their values. Castizo and Criollo voters naturally predominate, with negligible support from other ethnic backgrounds. The party has significant traction among younger voters, particularly those in the 20-25 age range, and is mostly male. These supporters tend to have either a high school education or a college degree. The party's base is largely urban, with the countryside being more aligned with traditional Vasconcelism.