His adversarial attitude towards his neighbor has worked.
When we published “AMLO’s Mexico, Downgraded” on June 8, 2021 ( https://sepgra.com/amlos-mexico-downgraded/ ), some readers thought it was an exaggeration. A year passed, and it was confirmed.
Until recently, it was unthinkable that the President of Mexico would be treated with the same consideration given to any ambassador from a developing country. Certainly, times have changed since Porfirio Díaz and William H. Taft crossed the border to meet in El Paso, Texas, and Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua, in October of 1909, and “State Visits” -the visit of a Head of State to a foreign country- no longer imply parading in a convertible followed by a caravan with streets packed of “enthusiastic admirers and supporters cheering emotional” as their leaders pass by them.
The Visiting President and wife would be welcomed at the White House for a Courtesy visit, and The US President and his wife would greet them as they arrive.
Another ritual stop was at the Capitol, where the visiting President would address a Joint Session of Congress with a carefully redacted speech highlighting the relevance of the relationship for both countries.
Another highlight of each visit was a State Dinner at the White House in honor of the visiting head of State and his entourage.
Or at least a cozy dinner with family and friends.
The President of the United States and his wife would receive their guests at the front door of the mansion as they arrived.
Usually, at the end of a “State Visit”, the two Presidents would read a statement in front of the press, which would be the end of it. But times change, or to be more precise, circumstances vary, and thus the protocol is adjusted.
AMLO has shown, time and again, his disregard for diplomacy, particularly with his neighbor in the north and with Spain. Furthermore, despite his constant preaching and demand for respect for sovereignty, he responded obediently to Trump’s demand to stop the migrant caravans by deploying the army disguised as National Guard, hoping it would help Trump in his campaign, as he continues to brag about it.
In contrast, AMLO’s attitude regarding President Biden has not been friendly, to say the least. Besides boycotting the Summit of the Americas in Los Angeles by refusing to attend if the host did not include three authoritarian leaders, he is constantly challenging the compliance of the terms of the USMCA, particularly the energy chapter and its implications for US firms with investments in Mexico. Also, his complete disregard for the activities of organized crime organizations that flood the US with highly addictive illicit drugs causes many thousands of deaths and other problems. (https://sepgra.com/when-amlo-visits-biden/)
AMLO’s visit was treated with indifference, not only by government authorities but also by the press. He was seated to deal with the Vice President during a working breakfast meeting, then received in the Oval Office, when he used the opportunity to do what he enjoys the most: speak non-stop for 31 minutes in a monologue full of irrelevant minutia, contrasting with the 10-minute opening speech by President Biden.
AMLO got the treatment of a second-level foreign official. He was downgraded.
SEPGRA Political Analysis Group.