Mexico City. The United States Ambassador to Mexico, Ken Salazar, said that it would be historic for the first time a woman to become President of the Republic, a fact that will not change bilateral relations at all, which is very good at the moment and will be enable economic integration and go further in other areas.
In an interview in the Senate after the opening of an exhibition on the 200-year relationship between Mexico and the United States, the diplomat explained that his country has never had a woman rule, but that in Mexico it will be historic in 2024 This fact becomes true when you consider that there are two presidential candidates.
In Mexico, she said, the role of women has increased. She recalled traveling the day before with Secretary of State Alicia Bárcena Manzanillo and telling her that 40 years ago a woman first ruled this state and that there are currently only 10 female governors. “The world is changing in very positive ways and that makes me optimistic: we are a more inclusive society.”
What would it mean for relations with the United States to be a president in Mexico?
“First of all, relations between Mexico and the United States are good. I’ve been here in the Senate the whole time and I’ve seen the history and the path we’ve taken. “It hasn’t always been an easy road, we’ve had a lot of difficulties,” he said, but during President Joe Biden’s tenure, we see a very positive trajectory going forward.”
There is, he emphasized, “an economic integration, an integration of our peoples for the benefit of the people.” That will not change, it will continue from now on. The Mexicans will make the decision on who will be their next President, the way forward for us will not change. That’s why I’ve been optimistic since I arrived. I have been an ambassador for more than two years and the optimism is growing every day.”
Which of the two candidates is better for the United States?
“I will not comment on this because it is a sovereignty decision of the Mexican people.” Mexicans will make the decision, as they should in a strong democracy.
Previously, he attended the opening of two exhibitions dedicated to 200 years of relations between our country and the United States, accompanied by Senate President Ana Lilia Rivera and North American Foreign Relations Commission President Gina Andrea Cruz. Blackledge and the head of the State Department’s North America Division, Roberto Velasco Álvarez.
In his speech, Ambassador Salazar addressed the difficult times in the relationship. Since the war between the two countries in 1848 and the 99 years that had to elapse before a US President, Harry Truman, visited Mexico and visited Chapultepec Castle.
“We know very well that history must be acknowledged, because it is history that should not be forgotten; But we should not get lost in this story either, he stressed, insisting that both nations must remember where they are and where they came from in order to embark on a common path based on the values of mutual respect and respect for sovereignty to create each nation and understanding of the greatness of the democracy of the two countries.
When President Biden proposed that he become ambassador to Mexico, he explained, they spoke “of the importance of turning this relationship into something good, something positive and something forever.”
Rather than sticking to his speech, he emphasized that he would rather “speak from the heart” and indicate that it is time to change and improve relations between the United States and Mexico.
To advance economic integration for the benefit of peoples, “particularly the 300 million people of the United States that I represent, and also the 130 million Mexicans who live here in this nation of Mexico.”
They tell me there are 40 to 50 million Mexican descendants in the United States. So look ahead, where are we going? Where are we going in 2030, in 2040, in 2050?
For her part, the President of the Senate, Ana Lilia Rivera, indicated the need to return to the interparliamentary meeting between the two nations, which had been suspended for ten years.
“The proximity between the two countries is reflected in parliamentary exchanges, since members of both congresses have met more than 50 times from 1961 to date to discuss issues of common interest and accompany governments to improve quality. “ of the life of our peoples.
“I am convinced that this type of dialogue between like-minded people is absolutely necessary to strengthen bilateral cooperation and open opportunities for meetings and focus on a better future, especially in those moments when parliamentary coordination is a powerful tool to solution to challenges.”
For her part, the President of the Committee on Foreign Relations for North America, PAN Senator Gina Andrea Cruz Blackledge, emphasized that both nations share a common space and therefore there are common challenges and problems that require active cooperation, constant understanding and constant dialogue.
