Mexico’s President, Andrés Manuel López Obrador, announced on Tuesday that he has decided to halt relations with the embassies of the United States and Canada. This move comes after both countries expressed concerns over a proposed judicial overhaul in Mexico that has faced criticism for potentially undermining the independence of the judiciary. The proposed overhaul, suggested by López Obrador during his final weeks in office, includes electing judges to office, a move that has raised fears of politically biased judges being appointed lacking experience, leading to protests, strikes, and criticism from various sectors including investors and financial institutions.
The American ambassador, Ken Salazar, deemed the proposal a threat to democracy and warned of potential repercussions on Mexico’s commercial relationship with the United States. López Obrador retaliated by accusing Salazar of violating Mexican sovereignty and hinted at the pause in diplomatic relations until there is more respectful dialogue. He also playfully mentioned that they will “take their time,” drawing laughter from reporters.
López Obrador not only criticized the U.S. ambassador but also accused Canada of meddling in Mexico’s internal affairs by expressing apprehension about the judicial overhaul proposal. Given the significant economic ties between the three countries, reaching an estimated $1.8 trillion in trade in 2022, the tensions arising from this situation could have implications on their longstanding economic and diplomatic relations.
While Salazar has softened his tone, expressing openness to dialogue and respect for Mexican sovereignty, members of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee have echoed their worries about the proposed reforms and their potential contradiction to existing trade agreements. These comments are likely to further provoke López Obrador, who has a history of using diplomatic pauses in response to perceived affronts, as seen in a prior altercation with Spain over energy companies.
The strained relations between Mexico and the United States have escalated following the capture of Mexican drug lord ‘El Mayo’ Zambada, leading López Obrador to adopt a more confrontational approach. As López Obrador prepares to hand over the presidency to Claudia Sheinbaum on Oct. 1, analysts suggest that these tensions may shape the legacy of Mexico’s first woman president, potentially presenting her with an opportunity to establish herself as a more moderate leader amidst the recent friction with the U.S. government.
