In political speech, the president of Mexico, Claudia Sheinbaum, tries to minimize the threats that the winning candidate for the presidency of the United States of America, Donald J. Trump, has made against the Mexican government…
This is because President Sheinbaum frequently accuses that any warning or criticism of her government from abroad is an insult to all the Mexican people: False.
Just last November 6, the former Mexican ambassador to the US, Martha Bárcena, asked to take Trump’s threats against Mexico seriously and reinforce the consulates in the face of the border closure: “The most imminent threat to the country is a blockade of the to the United States on the first day of Trump’s presidency, which would be next January 20,” he said.
President Sheinbaum immediately said that it is not so and that in any case “All Mexicans are united against any danger” and that ‘statements like Bárcena’s do not help at all.’
Trump based his campaign on a nationalist and hate speech: the supremacy of Republican-Saxon Americans, and contempt for other races, particularly Latinos and blacks.
He marked his line of anger towards the Mexican government. He gave a clear warning to Sheinbaum in a greeting full of venom: He asked him to greet former President López Obrador whom, even in the presidency of Mexico, he said had “bent.”
The meaning is that, as then, the current president must be obedient and silent to her mandates, just as López Obrador did by sending 28 thousand soldiers – Trump says – to the Mexican border with the US to block migrants, as well as on the southern border with Guatemala: And laughing he says that he achieved this with such ease that it was a surprise even for him.
But today is different. This time Trump promised his voters that he would carry out a mass deportation of migrants: “If they pass through Mexico, it is a Mexican problem,” and “even if they are not Mexican, they enter the United States through Mexico,” so, in his eyes, a daily invasion of people whom he describes as: ‘They’re not like us’ [no son como nosotros]. A promise that will surely be kept.
That is: Trump blames all the national problems of the United States on migration from Mexico and labeled Mexican migrants as “rapists and drug traffickers” and reiterates: ‘migrants are criminals who steal, kill and rape’, generating panic and hatred among Americans.
He based his campaign speech on this. He said it and reiterated it over and over and over a thousand times as he passed through the entire United States.
He also threatened to apply stratospheric tariffs to products from Mexico, from 25 to 75 percent, if the entry of fentanyl into the United States was not stopped and if drug trafficking in Mexican territory was not controlled, for which he is willing, even , to use US military force. They are his campaign promises.
With these warnings, the editor of the magazine “The Economist”, Zanni Minton Beddoes stated that with Trump’s victory in the November 5 elections “Mexico is in trouble”…
…While the news network CNN has just reported that “the plan is underway [deportación masiva] and that, in principle, it would concentrate on those migrants with criminal records, although it is not ruled out that it includes other groups, even the children of migrants who were brought to the United States as children, known as “dreamers.” .
Trump has already announced the appointment of Tom Homan, “the border czar,” who will be in charge of “all deportations of illegal aliens.” Homan promised that he will “eradicate the cartels from the face of the Earth.”
He put it this way during Trump’s recent campaign: “If Trump comes back in January, I will be with him and lead the largest deportation force this country has ever seen: You ain’t seen shit yet…Wait until 2025.”
In case you don’t remember, Homan headed the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Service in the first Trump administration and is considered the “father” of the strategy to separate nearly 4,000 migrant children from their parents, who were detained. The scandal was enormous when it was learned that the government did not know the whereabouts of many of these minors nor did it have a reunification plan.
Asked if there is a way to carry out a mass deportation of migrants, like the one Trump intends, without separating families, Homan responded: “Of course there is. Families can be deported together.”
“I have a message for the criminal cartels in Mexico, Homan said; They have trafficked enough fentanyl into this country to kill 148,000 young Americans. They have killed more Americans than all the terrorist organizations in the world combined, and when President Trump returns to office, he is going to classify them as terrorist organizations. “It is going to wipe them off the face of the Earth.”
But furthermore, the cabinet that is already in sight is not at all reassuring for the Mexican government: Senator Marco Rubio, son of Cuban migrants, is emerging as Secretary of State, one of the most important positions; Stephen Miller is elected as deputy director of policy: Both from the hardline group against migrants and in particular against the Mexican government since AMLO.
‘They are campaign promises that are just that, promises that will not be fulfilled,’ Sheinbaum said in response to Trump’s threats and prefers to minimize the issue, although the omens are not good at all:
Extraordinary tariffs that will impact the economy and the standard of living of all Mexicans; possible military intervention in our country to persecute organized crime; thousands of migrants sent to Mexico; hardening in NAFTA and relations between both countries, is the first moment between both nations.
Warning and asking for precautions against all of this ‘does not help the situation at all’, says the federal government of Mexico. On January 20, a new stage begins in the relationship with the USA. Is the Mexican government prepared to defend itself? And that of all Mexicans?
Interview Between Time.news Editor and Immigration Expert
Editor: Good afternoon, and welcome to Time.news. Today we’re diving into a compelling and pressing topic regarding U.S.-Mexico relations in light of the recent political developments in the United States. Joining us is Dr. Elena Martinez, an expert in immigration policy and U.S.-Mexico relations. Thank you for being here, Dr. Martinez.
Dr. Martinez: Thank you for having me. It’s a pleasure to be here.
Editor: The political landscape has changed dramatically with Donald Trump’s return to the forefront of American politics. President Claudia Sheinbaum has attempted to minimize the threats posed by Trump’s campaign rhetoric, particularly regarding immigration. Do you think her approach is effective?
Dr. Martinez: President Sheinbaum’s strategy of dismissing the threats may resonate with some who wish to promote national unity. However, it risks underestimating the serious implications of Trump’s policies. His history of leveraging anti-Mexican sentiment can’t be ignored, and it’s crucial for Mexican leadership to address these threats explicitly.
Editor: Absolutely. Former Mexican ambassador to the U.S., Martha Bárcena, emphasized taking Trump’s threats seriously regarding potential border closures and mass deportations. What are the possible ramifications for Mexico if these threats materialize?
Dr. Martinez: The ramifications could be severe. A blockade could cripple trade, affecting both economies significantly. Moreover, mass deportations would likely create humanitarian crises. Families would be torn apart, and the implications for those living and working in the U.S. legally could be catastrophic. It would fuel further anti-Mexican sentiment and may lead to increased instability in Mexico.
Editor: You mentioned the humanitarian crises. Trump’s comments about immigrants are alarming, as he often conflates them with crime and drug trafficking. How does this affect not just U.S. policy, but also the perception of Mexicans and immigrants?
Dr. Martinez: Trump’s rhetoric perpetuates a harmful narrative that stigmatizes immigrants, particularly Mexicans, as criminals. This not only impacts U.S. policy—like proposed mass deportations and heightened militarization at the border—but it also fosters a culture of fear and division. It’s damaging for community relationships on both sides of the border.
Editor: In your view, what can be done to counteract this narrative and to protect vulnerable populations both in the U.S. and in Mexico?
Dr. Martinez: It’s crucial to prioritize dialogue and diplomacy. Mexican leaders must continue to engage with U.S. officials, emphasizing the contributions of immigrants. Advocacy at the grassroots level, along with organizations that support immigrants’ rights, can help shift public perception. The media also plays a significant role—responsible reporting can combat misinformation and humanize the immigrant experience.
Editor: That’s an insightful perspective. Trump has expressed intentions to utilize military force against drug trafficking, citing a need to control the flow of fentanyl. What are the implications of such a strategy, and how feasible is it?
Dr. Martinez: Military involvement in civilian matters, especially in a foreign country, is complex and controversial. It raises significant ethical and legal questions. Moreover, these tactics have historically led to violence and instability in regions like Mexico. Focus should ideally be on cooperation to build better enforcement strategies, addressing root causes of drug trafficking instead of relying on military solutions that could worsen the situation.
Editor: considering the recent appointment of Tom Homan as the “border czar,” what does his return signal for U.S. immigration policy, and how should Mexico respond?
Dr. Martinez: Homan’s return signals a potential shift back to more aggressive enforcement tactics, reminiscent of the previous Trump administration. Mexico should prepare to engage diplomatically immediately, laying the groundwork for a coordinated effort to manage migration effectively while also protecting its citizens’ rights. It’s crucial to anticipate policies that may lead to increased tensions and plan proactive measures rather than reactive responses.
Editor: Thank you, Dr. Martinez, for sharing your expertise with us today. This conversation sheds light on the complex and urgent nature of the challenges facing Mexico and U.S.-Mexico relations in the wake of Trump’s potential presidency.
Dr. Martinez: Thank you for having me. It’s important to keep this dialogue going as the situation unfolds.
Editor: Certainly. And to our viewers, we will continue to monitor developments in this area closely. Thank you for tuning in to Time.news.