Saturday, July 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.

Have something to say? Paid Subscribers get all access to make & read comments.
President Sheinbaum smiles from the podium of her morning press conference

Sheinbaum’s take on what Mexico needs from the cruise industry: Friday’s mañanera recapped

0
Sheinbaum discussed cruise passenger spending, the proposed Cozumel dock and the state of the economy at Friday's presser.
President Sheinbaum in front of an audience of reporters

Will Trump’s ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ hurt nearshoring in Mexico? Thursday’s mañanera recapped

1
The impact of Trump's "Big Beautiful Bill" in Mexico and Sinaloa Cartel leader Ovidio Guzmán's legal case were points of discussion at the Thursday presser.
Sheinbaum July 2, 2025

Opposition ‘deliberately lying’ about Spy Law, Sheinbaum says: Wednesday’s mañanera recapped

6
President Claudia Sheinbaum on Wednesday rejected claims that security authorities will be able to access citizens' personal data, including on their cell phones, without first obtaining a judicial warrant.
BETA Version - Powered by Perplexity