Globe Live Media, Tuesday, January 26, 2021
When US President Joe Biden spoke with Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador on Friday, the most controversial issues that complicate the relationship between the two countries were not on the agenda.
It is a sign that Biden is seeking to reestablish his relationship with the Mexican leader, who developed a close personal relationship with former President Donald Trump, sources informed about the content of the call told Citizen Free Press.
In the months after Biden’s election victory, López Obrador, known in Mexico as AMLO, has challenged his new counterpart by talking about the bond he developed with Trump and making controversial political decisions related to security. It will take tremendous personal commitment from both parties for the Biden-López Obrador relationship to have a positive foundation, explain the people who closely follow the relationship.
“I think the administration, and in particular President Biden, believes in putting the past behind us. He wants to build a constructive relationship in the future, “said former Mexican ambassador to the United States Arturo Sarukhan, reflecting on the initial friendly phone call in which the most controversial topics were avoided. «But as with most things in life, the saying goes that it takes two to tango or two to salsa in this case. And the question is whether López Obrador will want to work with his American counterpart.
López Obrador was one of the last world leaders to congratulate Biden on his victory, and when they finally spoke during the transition period, the Mexican president bluntly reiterated to Biden that he had developed a positive relationship with Trump, according to sources informed about the call. .
In contrast, the readings from last week’s phone call seemed smooth and friendly. It was Biden’s second call with a world leader, following his conversation with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
The White House said the two leaders primarily focused on migration – they agreed to “work closely” to stop irregular immigration – and on coordinating to combat the covid-19 pandemic.
“It’s a sign that the relationship could start to move into the right relationship with that phone call. It is a vital relationship for both countries and it is important that the relationship stabilizes, “said Bill Richardson, former governor of New Mexico.
But there is more to fix than just rhetoric. Substance and style are also expected to be obstacles.
López Obrador took actions that emphasized the relationship with the United States before Biden assumed the presidency.
In January, López Obrador unexpectedly said his country planned to offer political asylum to Julian Assange. He also welcomed a British court ruling rejecting a request by the United States to extradite the WikiLeaks founder to the United States, “because he is a journalist and deserves a chance.”
‘An advert’
In December, López Obrador signed a security law that imposed restrictions on the presence of US anti-drug agents in the country. It was clearly in retaliation for the fact that the United States detained former Mexico Defense Secretary Salvador Cienfuegos in Los Angeles in October and accused him of being linked to drug trafficking. After that arrest, he was turned over to the Mexican authorities and upon his return to the country the charges were dropped. It was also a decision that could hamper the security relationship between the United States and Mexico.
“It was a warning, Sarukhan said, adding that AMLO has also recently said that he is considering taking action against the United States for allegedly fabricating information in the Cienfuegos investigation. Now, are you trying to use that as a bargaining chip with the incoming Biden administration, or do you just don’t understand how the relationship works? That is the question I have not been able to answer. Like so many things in life, it can be a combination of both.
The security aspects of the relationship and the future of Trump’s border wall did not come up in the initial conversation between the two, according to readings and sources familiar with the call, adding that it is unclear when the more difficult issues will be addressed. But everyone agrees that such problems cannot be avoided.
“The main concern is that the incredibly necessary and strategic intelligence, security and law enforcement relationship between the two countries must be on a firm footing,” Sarukhan said. “I think the administration should send that message clearly, that after 9/11 this is not just about drugs, it is about much more in terms of common security in general.”
Immigration is an area where the two leaders are expected to work together. Due to the devastating cost that the coronavirus pandemic has taken in Latin America, thousands of immigrants are heading to the United States border. López Obrador said they had been watching developments closely as a caravan of migrants made their way to the United States from Central America.
But getting the two leaders in sync on general issues could be challenging.
Biden, who is known for establishing close personal relationships with world leaders, will be tasked with developing a personal bond with López Obrador, whose leadership style does not resemble his.
Talks will be needed
«The relationship is built because it is very important. Biden is a very good personal politician, as is López Obrador. They are good talkers, “said Richardson, who also added that” there are going to be differences. ”
The two leaders do not share the same bombastic and transactional style of government, and López Obrador is a populist who built a political brand on his own cult of personality, leading him to link with Trump.
Visiting Washington last fall, López Obrador praised Trump for his “understanding and respect” despite Trump’s history of mocking Mexicans and attempting to use coercive measures, including threats of tariffs and border closures against the López administration.
However, López Obrador has more pressing problems after announcing on Sunday that he tested positive for covid-19.
And even the pandemic is an area where the two leaders will be challenged to agree. The two leaders have taken a contrasting approach to the crisis that is devastating both nations. Biden has been very clear about the need to wear masks and maintain social distancing, while López Obrador has scorned the virus and traveled across the country during the pandemic, many times without wearing a mask.