MEXICO CITY — Mexico has relied for decades on autonomous institutions similar to the U.S. government agencies that supervise, regulate or sometimes sanction the authorities. But the Mexican president has plans to change that, and many fear a strike to democracy. 

The Central Bank, the National Electoral Institute, the Human Rights Commission, the Institute to Access Public Information and the Telecomm Institute. Those are some of the autonomous institutions in Mexico. 

But President Andrés Manuel López Obrador says those institutes represent a waste of money and plans to integrate them into his administration.

The president said those institutions are like "monsters" or "philanthropic ogres" that have only benefited the elites.

But many analysts warn that López Obrador’s move could represent a step back to authoritarianism and abuse of power.

The president’s plans come while he faces accusations from the Electoral Institute of not respecting the laws during this election season.