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The Mexican Enigma

Ruben Navarrett Jr. on

But, when you're the president of Mexico, how do you do this without creating a backlash from Americans who will accuse you of meddling and wonder where your concern for these migrants was before they left in search of greener pastures?

Mexico and the United States are stuck with each other. There is no more important partner for either country. On every issue, what happens on one side of the border always spills over to the other.

Of course, the relationship isn't just important but complicated. Mexicans and Americans don't just share a common border. They also share a common national pastime -- i.e., blaming their problems on each other.

Ask Mexicans why they have not profited more from the North American Free Trade Agreement, the pact they signed in 1992 with Canada and the United States, and they'll tell you it is because the Americans made it impossible for Mexican goods to get a fair price. Ask Americans why there are so many illegal immigrants in the United States, and they'll tell you it is because Mexicans don't take care of their own people and don't provide enough jobs to keep them from going north.

When he is sworn in as president on Dec. 1, Pena Nieto will have the power to help change this paradigm. And yet, because of the value of keeping the United States as a handy foil to blame when things go wrong, he's likely to keep this telenovela going.

 

That would be a big mistake. Both countries deserve better. This relationship needs a strong dose of honesty, candor and clarity. Whether the issue is drugs, immigration, trade or any other matter that unites our countries, Americans need to know Mexico's intentions.

Only then can we decide whether we should be in our neighbor's corner. Or on its case.

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Ruben Navarrette's email address is ruben@rubennavarrette.com.


Copyright 2012 Washington Post Writers Group

 

 

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