![]() ![]() But it has encountered different responses from different nations, ranging from those of its steadfast allies in Costa Rica and to some extent Guatemala, to its difficult partners in Nicaragua and Honduras, and the dictator-in-the-making El Salvador. the fight against corruption, transparency, and immigration. “One hundred days into the new US administration, Washington has given clear signs as to what it expects from Central America, i.e. “We share a 1,000-mile border and we have a dozen metropolitan areas that are binational.”Ĭentral America: a focus on emigration, countering corruption, and promoting democracyĪlfredo Hernandez, Director of El Economista (Central America) has noted changes in the relationship between Central America and the United States since the start of the Biden presidency. More than 12 million Mexicans live in the United States and roughly two million Americans live in Mexico. The lack of chemistry between the two presidents “is significant, but it is not the whole story,” says González, and it will likely prove impossible to not work together. What is clear is that top-level governmental cooperation will be difficult to achieve.” It remains to be seen whether there will collide in the future. González says, “Biden and López Obrador do not particularly like each other and are, for the moment, traveling separate paths. Furthermore, the two countries have pledged to changes in labor policy, but the “commitments are proving tough to digest, such as the transformation of the labor justice system and the introduction of mechanisms to ensure full trade union democracy.” The Biden administration’s environmental agenda is in sharp contrast with that of President López Obrador, whose lack of interest in the issue is a good example of how the presidents have difficulty finding common ground. The new version of the free trade agreement between the North American countries (USMCA) is still in its implementation phase and, according to González, it generates both optimism and concern in Mexico in regards to how it will work with a Democrat-occupied White House. The US and Mexican economies are closely intertwined and bilateral trade continues at a pace of more than $1 billion a day, with Mexico experiencing an economic recovery that means an increase in exports and remittances. Mexico: an important relationship between presidents with little chemistryĪccording to Luis Miguel González, Director of the Mexican newspaper El Economista, “Mexico’s experience of Joe Biden’s first 100 days has been similar to that of a spectator who has changed channels and can’t quite figure out what the movie is about.” The migration policy is a key example of this, with Mexico considering Biden’s “iron fist approach to be similar to that used by the Trump administration, just couched in humanist rhetoric.”īiden and López Obrador do not particularly like each other and are, for the moment, traveling separate paths. So, it’s relevant to ask: What is Latin America’s take on Biden’s first 100 days in office? What the world anticipates is a change from the dialectical confrontation and heavy-handed tactics of the Trump era for a carrot and stick policy of diplomatic dialogue and sanctions.įor the main countries in the region, the relationship with the United States – particularly in regards to politics, economy, and immigration – is vital. When the Biden administration does turn its attention to Latin America, the expectation is that the White House will be firm with regimes such as Venezuela, Nicaragua, and Cuba, demanding respect for human rights and progress towards democracy. ![]() ![]() Despite this, the region is important to the United States (just not urgent) and the country’s influence in the region remains undisputed. ![]() Yet, it is clear that Latin America has not yet risen on Washington’s priority list – except for the Central American migration flows, which directly impact the US domestic political agenda. US President Joe Biden’s first 100 days have been remarkably productive. ![]()
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