Wednesday, February 5, 2025

Mexico’s Ukraine inaction consistent with foreign policy but must change

I am puzzled by the comments over non-action by  Mexico regarding Ukraine. It is perfectly consistent with the bedrock of Mexico’s foreign policy, which was explained to me by a senior official in Mexico’s foreign office: “Don’t get involved.”

Sounds like George Washington in 1796.

Perhaps because Mexico has so often been coveted, from Spain to Japan, the policy is psychologically logical, but must change.

Mexico is the largest Spanish-speaking nation in the world, and with that comes an explicit responsibility. Whether the president of Mexico is an isolationist or not, non-alignment no longer cuts it. Mexico is capitalist and mostly Christian, so the Ukraine issue is clearcut.

The problem is President López Obrador, who reminds one of the circus act where the huge, heavily padded actor pedals a tiny bicycle faster and faster until he inevitably falls over, to laughter.

Sending a support mission to the new president of Peru, waiving environmental protections on the Maya Train, hugs not drugs are all fast pedaling that will end in tip-over.

It’s time for Mexico, with 120 million Spanish speakers, to step up to reality and assume a leadership role.

Carlisle Johnson writes from his home in Guatemala.

National Guardsmen in gray uniforms at dawn, standing in formation next to a Mexican Airforce carrier jet, waiting to board.

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At her daily press conference Tuesday, Mexico's President Sheinbaum also addressed reports of a U.S. spy plane seen near Mexican airspace.
Sheinbaum spent most of her Monday morning press conference detailing her call with Trump regarding tariffs on Mexican goods.

Sheinbaum shares details of her high-stakes call with Trump: Monday’s mañanera recapped

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"It's about collaborating, as we have always said, coordinating, without losing sovereignty," Sheinbaum said of her conversation this morning with U.S. President Trump.
Sheinbaum speaks at her Friday morning press conference

LeBaron massacre was not an act of terrorism, Sheinbaum says: Friday’s mañanera recapped

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The president also addressed U.S. plans to send migrants to Guantanamo Bay and the role of Cuban doctors in Mexico.