The President of Mexico, Claudia Sheinbaum, has made her first trip abroad to attend the G20 summit in Brazil. This is an opportunity to seek international support ahead of Donald Trump's imminent return to the presidency of the U.S. Sheinbaum plans to challenge military powers by presenting an anti-arms proposal at this forum.
Sheinbaum, who is the first female head of state of Mexico, aims to allocate 1% of global military spending to address issues such as poverty and gender inequality. To support her proposal, she will highlight the 'Sembrando Vida' rural program, created by her predecessor, López Obrador, as an example of promoting life and peace instead of war.
In a conference prior to her trip, Sheinbaum pointed out that the global budget for arms in 2023 amounted to $2.7 trillion and that this has grown disproportionately compared to the growth of the global economy. This proposed 1% would represent about $27 billion, a figure close to the amount requested by the UN to provide humanitarian aid to 180 million people in extreme need.
Bárbara González, an expert in political communication, believes that Sheinbaum's proposal will generate media attention, but it is unlikely that the major military powers will take it seriously. The expert dismisses possible real diplomatic tensions and emphasizes that the initiative could provoke a reaction from Trump, although it is unlikely to bring about significant changes in Mexico's foreign policy.
Sheinbaum's pacifist stance on the international stage contrasts with the trend of militarization in Mexico that has been driven by previous governments. This contrast presents challenges for Sheinbaum's proposal, given the country's history of militarization. However, Sheinbaum's proactive presence in foreign policy could position Mexico as a leader on global issues such as poverty alleviation and climate change.
During the G20 summit in Brazil, Sheinbaum will meet with several international leaders, including the presidents of Brazil, France, South Korea, and the prime ministers of the United Kingdom, India, Japan, Vietnam, and Canada. These meetings aim to strengthen Mexico's international relationships and address common interests, such as the review of the Mexico, U.S., and Canada Agreement (USMCA) in 2026.
