What did Mexico give Trump? A bit of theatre, says former ambassador
the release of Ovidio Guzman, El Chapo’s son, after he was captured by Mexican security forces in Culiacan, the capital of Sinaloa.
Sarukhan believes these actions sent the wrong message to the cartels and emboldened them. “When you have a president who is seen as coddling or protecting the families of these individuals, it sends a signal to them that they can act with impunity,” he said.
Despite these missteps, Sarukhan is cautiously optimistic about Sheinbaum’s approach to the cartels. “I think she is taking steps in the right direction, but it will take time to see if these efforts will yield positive results.”
As for the recent agreement with the U.S. to avoid tariffs, Sarukhan believes it was a necessary move by Mexico to prevent economic turmoil. “At the end of the day, Mexico relies heavily on its trade relationship with the U.S., so it was important for Sheinbaum to find a way to appease Trump and prevent further escalation.”
Overall, Sarukhan sees Sheinbaum as a capable leader who is navigating challenging waters both domestically and internationally. “She has shown a willingness to confront tough issues head-on and make difficult decisions,” he said.
As Mexico continues to grapple with the cartels and its relationship with the U.S., it will be interesting to see how Sheinbaum’s leadership evolves and whether she is able to make significant progress in the fight against organized crime.
