Mexico will adopt a more active foreign policy stance

Significance

The decision followed Mexico’s hosting in June of the forty-seventh General Assembly of the Organization of American States (OAS), during which a Mexico-led proposal to condemn the Venezuelan government of President Nicolas Maduro for anti-democratic practices failed to secure the necessary votes. Foreign Minister Luis Videgaray said that despite this outcome, Mexico would maintain a critical stance towards the Maduro regime due to its human rights abuses and refusal to respect social and political liberties. His statement confirms a recent shift in Mexico’s traditional non-interventionist foreign policy posture.

Impacts

• Washington’s hostility will add urgency to Mexico’s efforts to redefine its foreign policy stance.
• The mismatch between Mexico’s foreign policy positions and its domestic reality will raise awkward questions for the government.
• Lopez Obrador will face increasing pressure to condemn Maduro, and assertions that his leftist presidency would ruin Mexico.