On Thursday, President Claudia Sheinbaum revisited a passage from the book *Cambio de rumbo: Testimonios de una Presidencia, 1982-1988* (Change of Course: Testimonies of a Presidency, 1982–1988)—authored by former President Miguel de la Madrid—to provide historical context for the Mexico–United States relationship, a relationship in which—according to that testimony—episodes of interference in national politics are documented.
During her morning press conference, the President read an excerpt from the work—published by the Fondo de Cultura Económica—in which De la Madrid reflects on the bilateral relationship during the 1980s:
“The Americans: the softer they find you, the deeper they encroach… We are dealing with tough people who do not seek understanding, but rather to impose themselves… our relations are not going to change very much. Nevertheless—and accepting this reality—we must maintain our composure and sustain the effort to improve relations, but without losing our dignity.”
Sheinbaum explained that these memoirs shed light on a context in which the then-U.S. Ambassador, John Gavin, engaged in constant interference in the country’s political affairs.
By bringing this episode into the present day, the President drew a parallel between that historical precedent and recent statements made by the current U.S. Ambassador to Mexico, Ronald Johnson, who—during a recent visit to Sinaloa—warned of “corruption and extortion as obstacles to investment.”
“We desire a relationship based on respect and understanding; however, that respect must be made very clear. Mexico must be respected by the entire world; the role of ambassadors must be one of mutual respect,” the President asserted.
