Introduction
The engine room of Mexico’s diplomacy has crumbled under the weight of recent events. The ideological component, introduced by President AMLO, has caused a systemic upheaval within the Foreign Relations structure.
The Ideological Component and Its Impact
AMLO’s addition to the diplomatic structure has led to an institutional crisis, with the worst trust issues in US relations since the Enrique Camarena murder case. This crisis has reached President Sheinbaum, further exacerbating the situation.
Businessman Ricardo Salinas Pliego has maintained more quality interactions with the White House than Secretary de la Fuente.
Key Questions and Answers
- Why has the Secretary of Foreign Affairs disappeared during the most complex period in Palacio Nacional and the White House relationship? The secretary’s absence can be attributed to the desinstitutionalization of foreign policy under AMLO’s administration.
- What has transpired since February when Marco Rubio first warned the Mexican government about their visa withdrawal policy for those hiring Cuban doctors under Díaz-Canel’s regime, which treats them as slaves? Rubio’s clear message to Mexico was noted, highlighting that while President Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s agendas may align, they are not necessarily the same.
Desinstitutionalization of Mexican Foreign Policy
Two examples illustrate the current state of Mexico’s diplomacy:
- What do Alberto Barranco Chavarría and Bernardo Barranco Villafán have in common? Due to an error by AMLO’s assistant, Alberto Barranco, a journalist sympathetic to AMLO’s movement, was mistakenly considered for the Vatican ambassador position instead of Bernardo Barranco, a sociologist specializing in Catholicism.
During a meeting on September 25, 2019, AMLO mistakenly believed he was speaking with Bernardo Barranco when in fact it was Alberto Barranco. The journalist was wished well, and the error went uncorrected.
Another incident occurred on September 20, 2022, when German President Frank Steinmeier visited Palacio Nacional for a state visit. A security member prevented a German official accompanying Steinmeier from entering, stating, “Your name is not on the list.”
Despite the lack of a scheduled meal in the agenda, AMLO invited Steinmeier to eat, causing him to cancel another meeting.
Ricardo Salinas Pliego’s Influence
Businessman Ricardo Salinas Pliego has maintained a positive relationship with President Trump, hosting galas in Washington before Trump’s inauguration. Attendees included Ron Johnson and Christopher Landau, who now serve as ambassador and undersecretary of state, respectively.
Salinas Pliego also organized a similar event in Mexico City, attended by Ambassador Johnson and various US business leaders. Alicia Bárcena, then campaigning for the UN Secretary-General position, was also present from the Mexican government.
Today, Salinas Pliego stands as a crucial figure in the triangle formed by the presidents of the US and Mexico, demonstrating a unique position in Mexican-American relations.
