It couldn’t have been any other way. Sheinbaum (CS) did not congratulate the winner of the democratic presidential contest in Bolivia, Rodrigo Paz, pointing out that “from the perspective of the progressive movements in Latin America, it is a shame that they have been divided there in Bolivia.” Likewise, CS ignores the current government of Peru, since it only recognizes the coup plotter and political criminal Pedro Castillo as legitimate president. A third case is the breaking of relations with Ecuador that has been maintained by AMLO, for defending former Vice President Glas, convicted of acts of corruption and violently rescued by the Ecuadorian police from the facilities of the Mexican embassy in Quito.
These three cases reveal the absurdities and mistakes of foreign policy and the contradiction of alluding to the Estrada Doctrine that CS invokes so much, that it does not give an opinion on political-electoral matters in other countries. But CS uses the principle of the Estrada Doctrine for convenience. For example, he absurdly invoked said Doctrine a few weeks ago to not congratulate Corina Machado for the award of the Nobel Prize. An act of great meanness.
Since AMLO, foreign policy has been disastrous. In Latin America, Mexico has lost respect and trust by aligning itself with the dictatorships of Cuba, Venezuela and Nicaragua. Many will say that, on the other hand, the bilateral relationship with the United States on the three fundamental issues of migration, security and trade has been successful. Maybe so, but it has lacked officials, diplomats and negotiators with experience and greater expertise.
CS has continued to destroy the functioning and operation of the Mexican Foreign Service (SEM), reducing its budget and slowing the development of many career members of the SEM. He has appointed as ambassadors, in greater numbers than his predecessors, politicians inexperienced in foreign relations. Worse still, she shamelessly uses embassies as a “prize” for former PRI governors who supported her, or to promote unprepared Morenoist cadres, such as the current ambassador to Italy.
CS makes the mistake of thinking that foreign policy is based on his personal views and ideology. He forgets that he represents the country, and that foreign policy should be public policy, not based on personal opinions. The chancellor has the responsibility to advise and make this clear to the president, which clearly does not happen.
One more blunder: CS has continued with the ridiculousness that Spain should apologize for the Conquest more than 500 years ago. In the recent context of the awarding of the Princess of Asturias Award by the Spanish Crown to the National Museum of Anthropology, once again, showing its supreme pettiness, it stated: “I value this award as ‘a small step’ towards the recognition of the atrocities of the Conquest.” When presenting the award, Princess Leonor’s speech was a lesson about coexistence, respect and solidarity. He alluded to “the need to unite to do things better,” calling for trust and coexistence. I hope CS has understood the part of this message that concerns you.
It is urgent that foreign policy regains its dignity, direction and prestige that it traditionally enjoyed before the 4T.
