Mexico's New President's agenda includes amnesty for drug growers, kingpins

op-ed by Chivis Martinez for Borderland Beat

Trump speaks with AMLO:

Trump reveals this morning he spoke to AMLO saying "we had a good conversation about a half hour long”.  They spoke about border security, NAFTA, trade and the possibility of a separate trade treaty between Mexico and United States.  Trump said he had a conversation with AMLO during one of his previous campaigns, at which time Trump told him, “someday you will be the president of Mexico”. . Something that AMLO remembers.  Trump thinks they will have a good relationship but says “we will see.” 

Mexico’s new president "AMLO" views that are radically different that the past:

*It is not the problem or responsibility of Mexico to help the United States fight its “Drug War” 

*Amnesty for drug kingpins and growers of marijuana and opium poppy plants 

*Greatly reduce Mexico’s military in the fight against cartels 

 *AMLO’s suggestion regarding the U.S. border; he  says the United States should send its military to guard its borders.

*Open Borders:   He is in support of “Open Borders” and has no interest in helping the United States in its “illegal immigrant” problem

Mexico has a new president, at the end of its bloodiest campaign in history with over 130 murdered candidates. [22 of Mexico's 31 states have seen a political assassination since campaigning began in September. According to according to Etellekt, a crisis management group]

The newly elected leader, a leftist populist whose long political marathon,  has finally crossed the victory marker, in impressive fashion.  He had stated, this was his last presidential campaign.

For Andrés Manuel López Obrador, 64, of the more commonly known as “AMLO”, third time was the charm.  In his previous presidential attempts, [2006, 2012, 2018] AMLO failed to win the hearts and minds of the wealthy.  In this go around, the Morena political party candidate, was able to connect a broad group of supporters, even wealthy voters. Citizens who perhaps, are exasperated at the failed policies of the past, and the inability of previous administrations to curb deepened violence and corruption in Mexico.

In 2006, he refused to accept his narrow presidential election defeat, calling the election as fraud.  This triggered mass protests in the Zocalo in Mexico City that lasted a month. 

The new president whose agenda has always had its focus on poverty, and corruption, which he feels are tormentors that are joined at the hip.  However, how he will be able to amend those issues remains  unclear. 

As the former head of Mexico City, he was unable to achieve those goals.

As for drugs and kingpins, AMLO is thinking maybe a deal with the devil is the path to stride.  Saying perhaps that is the way to peace in a country that has lost 100’s of thousands of lives in its war against cartels. He must have forgotten that types of deals were what got Mexico to place it now finds itself in. 

He wants to sit down and negotiate.  Even release the kingpins from prison.  A caveat being, saying, “If it is necessary … we will talk about granting amnesty so long as the victims and their families are willing,” he said.

And immigration?  Let’s look at the hypocrisy of Mexico.  Mexico has some of the toughest immigration laws on the planet.  Some align with what President Trump is hoping for.  It has a point system, stringent requirements, such as a personal connection to Mexico, and over a certain age, financial proof requirement, or a large business investment.

And let’s not forget the harsh treatment of immigrants while travelling in Mexico from its southern border.  According to Amnesty International some 12k economic migrants “disappear” each year, thousands of others are forcibly taken into servitude by the cartels.  Few care about migrants in Mexico, clearly not Mexican citizens, or its government.  There is little protection for migrants in Mexico other than religious based shelters like “Casa Migrante”.  And the government has deemed it illegal for migrants housed in shelter to stay for more than two days or be arrested. 

So, the government “dismay” and those wealthy kids protesting at Zocalo against the U.S. and its immigration policies, should not fool anyone.

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It’s difficult to determine what this new presidency will affect the United States.  On its face an AMLO presidency appears the antithesis of President Donald Trump. 

But if one takes AMLO at his word, AMLO realizes, although there are major ideological differences, it is imperative that he works with the U.S., especially because of its geographical connection. 

And there are alike comparatives between the two neighboring leaders.   They both have hair trigger reactions to criticisms, and are skillful at name calling and retaliatory hit-backs.

AMLO says he thinks he will get along with Trump, viewing Trumps rhetoric as political bombast targeting his base.  He says treaties with the U.S. such as NAFTA are of the utmost importance.

To the NYT; “I mean, the Brazilians, the French can fight with the U.S., but Mexico, for geopolitical reasons, we simply cannot,” he added. “We have to come to an agreement.”

Time will tell what will happen between these two presidents.  Who knows, maybe they will discover a brother from another mother…….but with such huge differences in desired policies, it would be wise to secure your seat belt, the ride looks bumpy ahead.