Sheinbaum’s Cool-Headed Tone Takes Fiery Turn Against US Meddling

Article content

The approach has found strong support within Morena, the political juggernaut that governs the vast majority of Mexican states. Party leaders have publicly applauded what they see as necessary pushback against Washington, while framing domestic opponents as aligned with foreign interests.

Article content

‘Plotting to Weaken Morena’

Article content

The conflict has also handed Morena an opportunity to accuse its rivals of encouraging US intervention. Last week, concerns about meddling from Washington helped the party pass a law that could allow future Mexican elections to be annulled because of foreign interference. But the wording is so broad that opposition lawmakers and even some prominent Morena figures have warned it could inject fresh uncertainty into voting.

Article content

Sheinbaum says the measure is needed to protect voters from misinformation spread by armies of online bots, which she argues could distort the will of the electorate.

Article content

Still, the new tone is unnerving some Mexican officials involved in trade talks with the US, the destination for about 80% of the country’s exports. They worry Sheinbaum’s comments could complicate sensitive negotiations over the USMCA trade pact review, where rules governing tariff-free access to the US market, including regional content requirements, are at stake.

Article content

Article content

The Mexican leader’s rhetoric has also drawn backing from her predecessor and political mentor, former President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, who posted a five-page letter on social media Wednesday accusing unnamed US officials of trying to weaken Morena and strengthen Sheinbaum’s right-wing adversaries.

Article content

“Some US officials are plotting to weaken Morena and strengthen Mexico’s right-wing opposition with the aim of once again having a submissive, corrupt, mafia-like and cruel government and therefore one that would be vulnerable, subordinate and loyal to their interventionist designs,” Lopez Obrador wrote.

Article content

Sheinbaum has also taken aim at conservative opponents at home. “They’re against the Mexican people because at the end of the day they’re racists and classists,” she said at her daily morning press conference Thursday, accusing her political adversaries in Mexico of trying to stoke “divisions within our movement.”

Article content

Earlier in the week, Sheinbaum pushed back against US Ambassador Ronald Johnson, instructing him not to comment on domestic politics after the Trump envoy responded to her rally speech with a social media post saying the fight against drug cartels shouldn’t be political.

Article content

Article content

“It’s important that the ambassador confines himself to bilateral issues and respects our country’s internal affairs,” Sheinbaum said. “Mexico’s affairs are a matter for Mexicans.”

Article content

As ties with the US grow more strained, Mexico has sought to deepen relations with other trading partners in an effort to reduce its lopsided dependence on its northern neighbor.

Article content

Last month, Mexico signed an updated trade agreement with the European Union that had been under negotiation for a decade. The signing ceremony was held in Mexico City and attended by top EU leaders, including European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

Article content

Sheinbaum has made a similar push with Brazil, ramping up overtures to President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva that could lead to stronger trade ties with South America’s largest economy. The two leftist leaders are exploring a new energy partnership, and Sheinbaum has said she intends to travel to Brazil in July.

Article content

—With assistance from Carolina Millán.

Article content