Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, commonly referred to as AMLO, is giving the United States the blueprint for shoring up the US-Mexico border. The problem – as Donald Trump pointed out recently – is that Mexico’s demands are beyond practical and reasonable. Here’s everything you need to know!
AMLO Has Four Demands For United States
On March 24, CBS News broadcast a 60 Minutes interview between journalist Sharyn Alfonsi and AMLO. The interview took place at the National Palace in Mexico City – the official residence of the President of Mexico.
AMLO, who is currently in his final year as Mexico’s President, was asked a variety of questions, but his take on the US-Mexico border has everyone up in arms. While he’s ready to help the United States shore up the border, he needs the US to do four things first and foremost.
1. Send Latin American Countries $20 Billion Per Year
His first demand was that the United States send Mexico $20 billion per year to poor countries in Latin America and the Caribbean. He initiated the demand in January, but Biden described it as a ‘very ambitious agenda.’
It’s unclear how Mexico plans on spending the money, but it was implied that it would help give Latin American and Caribbean residents a reason to stay in their country – as opposed to crossing the US-Mexico border in hopes of finding a better life.
2. Legalize Millions Of Law-Abiding Mexicans In US
Speaking of crossing the border, AMLO wants the United States to grant work visas to 10 million Hispanics who have worked in the U.S. for at least 10 years. According to the Migration Policy Institute, more than 11 million unauthorized immigrants live in the US today.
In December 2023, more than 250,000 illegal immigrants crossed the border – a new record for a single month. Biden called AMLO that month in hopes of finding a solution. One month later, the number of illegal immigrants crossing the border was cut in half.
3. Bring An End To The Cuban Embargo
AMLO’s third demand was for the US to end the Cuban embargo, which has been active since 1962 – when President John F. Kennedy announced the embargo on trade. The Departments of Commerce and the Treasury have enforced the embargo for 60+ years.
As part of the embargo, Cuba is prohibited from exporting goods to the United States – a move that costs Cuba billions of dollars every year (including $5 billion in 2022 alone). The embargo also makes it more difficult for Cuba to acquire goods and services.
4. Lift Sanctions On Venezuela
That brings us to AMLO’s fourth and final demand – lifting sanctions on Venezuela that have been imposed since 2006. The Trump Administration added more sanctions in 2017, which restricted Venezuela’s access to US financial markets.
In 2018, Trump took the sanctions one step further by blocking the purchase of Venezuelan debt – a response to President Nicolas Maduro’s rewriting of the country’s constitution. In January 2024, the Biden Administration imposed sanctions on Venezuela’s mining sector.
Trump: “That Wouldn’t Happen With Me”
On March 30, Donald Trump joined One Nation host Brian Kilmeade to discuss AMLO’s 60 Minutes interview and the four demands he had for the US government. During the interview, Kilmeade asked Trump if it’s okay for the Mexican president to dictate American policy.’
“Well, he said much more than that,” Trump proclaimed. “He said he wants $10 billion essentially just to talk, $10 billion to talk, and that’s come out since, and no, that wouldn’t happen with me, with the wall.”
World Leaders Don’t Respect Joe Biden
Kilmeade followed his response by asking what changed since Biden took over in 2021. Trump gave a simple answer – Biden doesn’t have the respect of world leaders that Trump had between 2017 and 2021.
“They would never say that to me. They would never say before we even talk. They want $10 billion a year, Mexico just asked for $10 billion a year. They would never ask it. I wouldn’t give them $0.10,” Trump said.
What Happens If United States Doesn’t Comply
During AMLO’s interview with 60 Minutes, Sharyn Alfonsi noted how the Mexican President has the power to slow down migration. She finished that thought by asking AMLO if he had any plans to do so – and he said yes.
“We do and want to continue doing it, but we do want the root causes to be attended to – for them to be seriously looked at,” he said. If the United States doesn’t comply with his demands, AMLO says the ‘flow of immigrants will continue.’
Trump Calls Nov. 5 ‘Most Important Day’ In US History
AMLO’s response is the exact reason why Donald Trump believes he’s the right candidate to ‘make America great again.’ During his interview with Kilmeade, he warned Americans that Biden is spelling the end of the US.
“The most important day in the history of our country is going to be November 5th. Our country is going bad, and it’s going to be changed on November 5th and if it’s not changed, we’re not going to have a country anymore,” Trump said on Saturday.
Many Call AMLO’s Demands ‘Diplomatic Blackmail’
Many of AMLO’s harshest critics are describing his demands as ‘diplomatic blackmail.’ He was asked about his thoughts on that sentiment, but disguised it as him saying what’s on his mind – something he, like Trump, is known for.
“I am speaking frankly, we have to say things as they are, and I always say what I feel,” López Obrador said in Spanish at the National Palace in Mexico City. “I always say what I think.”
AMLO Says Full Border Closure Will Never Happen
AMLO was also asked about Trump’s efforts to fully close the border – something he says will never happen. In fact, he accused Trump of ‘bluffing’ anytime he mentions closing the border.
When asked why he thinks that, AMLO kept it simple – because the United States needs Mexico. “Because we understood each other very well, we signed an economic, a commercial agreement that has been favorable for both peoples, for both nations. He knows it,” he said of Trump.
Mexico Will Have New President In 2025
AMLO’s comments come just eight months before he leaves office and retires from politics for good. The 70-year-old was elected to a six-year term in 2018 – a term that ends in December. In the meantime, Mexico will vote to determine its next leader.
The three primary candidates this year are Claudia Sheinbaum (MORENA Party), Xóchitl Gálvez (PAN Party), and Jorge Álvarez Máynez (MC Party). As of right now, Sheinbaum is expected to win the election – becoming the first-ever female Mexican President.
United States Has An Election In 2024, Too!
Mexico isn’t the only country holding a presidential election in 2024. While their election will take place in June, the United States will hold its election in November – but we won’t have a new president.
Will Joe Biden earn a second consecutive term? Or will Trump return to the Oval Office for a second, non-consecutive term? As of right now, Trump has a slight advantage over Biden – but a lot could change between now and November.
