The news that Donald Trump has appointed veteran Ronald Johnson to Mexico marks a sea change in the way the United States is looking to deal with it’s southern neighbour. What should Mexicans expect from the new appointee in the coming years, asks María Meléndez?
Best known for his military and intelligence experience, Johnson is a former Green Beret and a veteran who specialized in unconventional warfare, counterinsurgency, and counterterrorism operations. After his military service, Johnson joined the CIA, where he dedicated over twenty years to intelligence operations in Latin America. His assignments involved disrupting drug trafficking networks and combating transnational organized crime.
Under the previous Trump administration, Johnson worked as the U.S. ambassador to El Salvador, where he worked closely with strongman leader Nayib Bukele to counter gang violence, human trafficking and illegal migration in the beleaguered Central American nation. Critics, however, point to Johnson’s policies as fundamentally flawed and failing to deal with the the root causes of crime and instability.
Johnson’s appointment represents a significant change in U.S. diplomatic representation in Mexico. His background suggests a shift toward a greater focus on security collaboration between the two countries, rather than a a more traditional emphasis on political issues and cross-border trade.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has expressed her desire to maintain a cooperative relationship with the new ambassador, though, despite rhetoric around the use of U.S. drone warfare against targets in the country. The threat of unilateral action has also seen her underline the importance of respecting Mexico and its sovereignty.
Mexico News Daily
El Salvador was successful in greatly reducing violence. But while they did they trampled on due process. If the US goes into Mexico unilaterally hopefully the administration will be sued. We aren’t El Salvador. The constitution applies to how our government deals with individuals. All individuals outside of war.
haha ok sue the US government, wow, that will get you know where. Your Air force is nonexistent and if the USA wants to take out cartels around the country, there is nothing MX can do to stop it. What?? Fly Propeller planes against the jets of the USA?? LOL!!!
No wonder the rest of the world thinks we’re arrogant.
Arrogant americans seem to not understand “soverign nation”. You have furthermore picked up on this US administration’s & Russia’s arrogant attitude of agression is acceptable.
Susan, please watch a documentary made by Americans , called Ukraine on fire. you can find it on Armstrong economics blog
What a pitiful comment!
You said it all.The USA government is that corrupt that a law suit is useless. Only firepower is what you are suggesting. ? Even then there would be war in the states with 20% of the USA population being Hispanic. We have already armed Mexico with illegal weapons.
The term ‘Ugly American’ comes to mind as I read this comment. Also, the word I ‘no’ not ‘know’ in this instance.
Oh boy.
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Mexico is a valued trading partner, our closest neighbor B-more Americans have Hispanic roots than any other ancestry.
We don’t need to treat the world’s 10th largest economy like a step child. Respect, co-ordinator activities, and persue criminals together.
Personally, as an expat, I would like to see US criminals selling guns to Mexican cartels extradited for Mexican justice in a Mexican prisión.
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That’d be fun to watch! American criminals seeing how Mexican jails work. No country clubs here for common (ordinary) criminals.
i thought that too ! haha…. i once had a short conversation w a young expat here… he is a former US Army… he said: one day he understood the whole Central bankiing system…..paused… looking at me to see if i understand him… yes… i do…. and then he said : and then they send us ( to be killed in war) .. he left the army… came to Mexico , married a pretty young woman and lives happily in a small mexican town not too far from PV… with a smile on his face
Me too. The introduction of arms and weapons of war is one of the worst things the US has done to itself and Mexico
Whatever the former Green Beret Ronald Johnson plans to do, we can only pray that he take seriously President Sheinbaum stressing the importance of treating Mexico and its sovereignty with due respect from now on. If not, there is little hope that anything can be worked out. Mexico will not be bullied. It would help if a reasonable agreement could be reached before everything goes out of control. We need Mexico and it would be a disaster to let go of our long mutual “friendship” to the extent that it’s still alive and well. It would be a serious mistake for the United States to permit our differences to tear us apart any further. Let’s hope the right person was chosen for the job! Only time will tell…
Trust me, the rest of the world don’t think Mexico is ignorant.
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The same is happening in Canada. Our new Prime Minister Carney has told Trump there will be no negotiations on trade until he stops talking about Canada as the “51st” state.
The talk of military action against cartels is just that, talk. Its Trumps negotiation tactic to get Mexico to do more. It worked. And so has Scheinbaums pressure on the US to do more to stop the flow of guns. Kudos to Claudia for not taking his bait. She played her hand beautifully and intelligently!
what about US spy planes above Mexico?
seems that MDN has chosen to censor my post again. Wonder how much does the corrupt goverment pay to be a rag of Palacio?
The word is “no” not “know”.
You don’t need a prop plane to bring a jet or drone down. Jeez.
Get out of your parent’s basement and learn what a sovereign nation is. Grow up.
You are embarrassingly the rest of us Americans.
Mr. Stegowhite:
There is enough division and controversy in the World, and they’re now creeping into, as comments/opinions by readers of MND. Everyone has there own self-entitled opinion and if they opt to share it in the MND reader comments, we should all accept that with our civil responses. We should also accept typos without damning criticism. So, I’ll close by pointing out as politely as possible that we all make grammatical mistakes in our submissions,, including yours in your above response.
You are right, division and controversy has taken over the US and gringos. Just part of the reason Mexicans are happier.
Isnt it the US government that is embarrassing us all ? The i learn about it….. it has been taken over… one big criminal corporation…how did American people allow this? blows my mind….
I know, I have 2 commas at the end of “submissions” Gramatics: another issue we might look into!!! Just kidding.
So really, nothing has changed. Yes, the ‘former’ CIA employees are now out of the intelligence closet and aren’t hiding their affiliation even while running for elected office. But Ronald Johnson will not make policy. He will represent the power behind the throne in relation to Mexico and Mexico’s government, in the same way that all of his predecessors did. He will continue to push all of the hot buttons regarding Mexico-US relations in order to win concessions, all the while using language that sounds reasonable and diplomatic. The US is not the hegemon that it once was, and Mexico, while still heavily dependent on the US market, is growing stronger and more independent. The times they are a changin’, but in the US the new boss is the same as the old boss when it comes to Mexico and Latin America in general.