Nearly a year in, Mexico's president doubles down on management of economy

Mexico's President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador delivers his first state of the union at National Palace in Mexico City, Mexico, September 1, 2019. REUTERS/Henry Romero

MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, in his first state of the union address on Sunday, doubled down on his approach to managing Latin America's second-largest economy, saying the interests of private firms would be subordinated to those of the nation.

After taking office in December vowing to revive a sluggish economy and reduce violence, the veteran leftist has so far fallen short of the goals he set himself.