Oh, how we wish we could forget the U.S. Mexico Border closing last December. However, every Rocky Point lover cannot. Nor should we. This is why the Mexico 2024 State of the Union address is an important event to follow.
Political speak in English and Spanish is exaggerated because of another volatile U.S. Presidential Election year. Furthermore, the immigration issue is again an explosive and divisive issue. The volume is being pumped up to maximum volume as we hit the final stretch before Americans vote.
Meantime, the large turnout in Mexico’s recent national elections has Claudia Sheinbaum stepping in as the country’s first female president. She was elected as a follower of Andrés Manuel López Obrador both chronologically and politically. And AMLO is not stepping away quietly.
No U.S. Walls or Militarized Borders
The Mexico 2024 State of the Union address was given Sunday in Mexico City. The popular outgoing president spoke outside to thousands gathered for a glimpse into the near future. In likely criticism of former U.S. President Donald Trump, he said walls and militarized borders were not solutions. Instead, AMLO’s answer is to stabilize the poor economies and fragile societies of the troubled Central American and Caribbean countries.
Such a plan is easier said than done. Mexico doesn’t have the money to strengthen its own economy. Furthermore, history has proven sending money to corrupt countries is not successful without change in power. Take Venezuela for example. The country is a mess because President Nicolás Maduro would not allow the people to end his corrupt dictatorship through a legitimate election.
Many people in these countries feel so unsafe and poor, their best option is fleeing through what has been Mexico’s fairly porous southern border. This by no means creates a tourism boom for Puerto Peñasco or other beautiful Mexican destinations. The map used by millions of migrants is to visit Mexico solely as a means to get to the United States of America.
In his Mexico 2024 State of the Union address, President Andrés Manuel López Obrador did sum this up well. He said, “Those who abandon their family, their community, and country do not do it out of pleasure.” He added it is because “they do it out of necessity.”
Mexico Presidential Posturing
Political posturing is everything right now. It is because both Mexico and the United States will soon have new administrations running their respective countries. The leaders are sending key messages to their own citizens. In addition, they are publicly strategizing against their neighbors. The Mexico 2024 State of the Union address was a high-profile example of this.
President Andrés Manuel López Obrador has one major fight left internally. He is proposing judges nationwide be elected by popular vote. Given the current strength of his Moreno Party which will remain in power for the next 6 years, the idea is being loudly challenged in the court of public opinion. It seems like it would only make it easier for widespread corruption.
The United States is one of those dissenting voices. Mexico has now paused diplomatic relations with the U.S. and Canada over the criticism. Meanwhile, things are business as usual on the border. Tens of thousands of Americans are returning home today from Rocky Point after enjoying the Labor Day Weekend at the beach.