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Mexican President Boycotts Summit
The Mexican President, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, has decided not to attend the Summit of the Americas that the Biden administration will host. His absence is no surprise due to his threats to pull out for weeks.
President Lopez Obrador has a problem with the U.S. not inviting Cuba and Nicaragua leaders and President Maduro’s government to Venezuela for the Summit. It would appear that in 2019, President Trump refused to recognize Nicolas Maduro as the legitimate president of Venezuela and campaigned for his resignation in favor of Juan Guaido.
The Mexican President announced that Foreign Secretary Marcelo Ebrard would represent him at the Summit. Honduras will be joined by Mexico, sending a delegation to the Summit protesting the excluded three countries. Honduran President Xiomara Castro will be among those boycotting the Summit.
Biden’s Attempt to Repair Foreign Relations
The Biden administration has spent diplomatic capital in efforts to mend their damaged relationship with both Mexico and Honduras, which appear to be two governments leaning to the left. During Castro’s Presidental Inauguration, Vice President Harris was the guest of honor in an attempt to pour water on the hot coals of U.S.-Honduras relations.
President Biden and Vice President Harris have made substantial efforts to gain favor with Lopez Obrador, but the Mexican President continued to speak antagonistic against several U.S. policies.
The Summit of the Americas is an event to bring together countries to discuss issues like climate change, migration, and the coronavirus recovery plans. It convenes every three years to bring together countries of the western hemisphere.
This will be the ninth Summit and the second Summit that the U.S. has hosted since President Bill Clinton in Miami in 1994. Biden chose Los Angeles for the 2022 summit because LA is the home to the largest Latino community in the nation.
Wednesday, Gov. Gavin Newsom spoke at the opening ceremony, stating
You are in one of the most diverse cities — L.A. — in the most diverse region in the most diverse state — California — in the world’s most diverse democracy, I couldn’t imagine a better place for all of you to be
The Summit is going along very well, even though its essential pieces are missing. By the conclusion of the Summit on June 11, 2022, the Biden administration is optimistic in their attempt to come to a common ground surrounding the agenda topics.
It is hard to tell if the Mexican President and the Biden Administration will be able to mend their broken relationship after the Summit. Still, it will be in the best interest of all involved to finally correct another blunder of Donald Trump.
Written by Omari Jahi
Edited by Sheena Robertson
Source:
The Hill: Mexican president confirms Summit of the America’s snub by RAFAEL BERNAL
NPR: Biden is hosting the Summit of the Americas, but Mexico’s president won’t be there by FRANCO ORDOÑEZ
Bookings: Why is Mexico’s president snubbing Biden’s invitation to the Summit of the Americas? by Arturo Sarukhan
Lawfare: What Does It Mean for the United States to Recognize Juan Guaidó as Venezuela’s President? by Scott R. Anderson
Feature and Top Image Courtesy of European External Action Service (Flickr CC0)
First Inset Image Courtesy of Eneas De Troya (Flickr CC0)
Second Inset Image Courtesy of Gage Skidmore (Flickr CC0)
