Edgardo Buscaglia, president of the Citizen Action Institute in Mexico, expressed in an interview for Aristegui en Vivo his concern about the complication of the relationship between Mexico and the United States with the upcoming governments of Donald Trump and Claudia Sheinbaum, whom he referred to as "plagues" due to their characteristics.
Buscaglia pointed out that the U.S. ambassador to Mexico, Ken Salazar, has questioned President López Obrador's security strategy, known as "hugs, not bullets." According to the academic, Salazar criticizes the lack of effective policies to combat organized crime and noted that the posture of the Mexican government in response to these criticisms is similar to that of right- and left-wing dictators.
Regarding the "hugs, not bullets" policy, Buscaglia considers it a "resounding failure" due to the high rates of homicides, forced disappearances, and levels of corruption that persist in Mexico. In addition, he mentioned that Salazar's criticism is late, as concerns about these policies date back to 2017.
Buscaglia warned about the possibility that Mexico could face serious conflicts if Trump regains power in the U.S. and with Sheinbaum's administration in Mexico. According to the academic, the crisis situation would focus on migration, trade, and drug trafficking, warning that both governments could generate unprecedented tension and poverty for Mexico.
Regarding the trade conflict, the academic mentioned that the high tariffs Trump could impose on Mexican products would affect key sectors of the national economy, such as the automotive industry, which would exacerbate the situation of unemployment and poverty in Mexico. He also highlighted U.S. concerns about Chinese investments in Mexico and the potential violation of the USMCA.
Buscaglia anticipated difficulties in the migration issue and a possible increase in deportations that Mexico would not be prepared to face, which would trigger a social crisis, especially among the most vulnerable sectors. He also alerted about drug trafficking, particularly fentanyl, and the lack of strategies to combat corruption and drug trafficking in Mexico.
The academic criticized the lack of preparation and coherence from Sheinbaum's government to face the challenges posed, suggesting the need to recognize the structural problems of corruption and violence in the country. In this sense, Buscaglia questioned judicial reforms and the militarization of public security, warning that these measures could exacerbate the situation of violence and lack of security in Mexico.
In conclusion, Buscaglia emphasized the importance of creating jobs and reducing corruption to improve the situation in Mexico, instead of focusing on immigration policies or repressive measures that he considers incongruent with the needs of the country.
