Lopez Obrador to Biden: US needs to end ‘disdain' for Latin America

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As the two leaders met on Monday, Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador pushed US President Joe Biden to halt an attitude of "abandonment" and "disdain" toward Latin America and the Caribbean, setting for an abrupt opening to a summit of North American leaders.

The remarks stood in stark contrast to the public display of warmth between Lopez Obrador and Biden only moments before, when they smiled, embraced, and shook hands for the cameras. But it didn't take long for emotions to rise as the two sat down in an elegant room at the Palacio Nacional, flanked by delegations of high officials.

The majority of the summit's work will be completed on Tuesday when the two leaders and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will meet for several hours. Migration, both legal and illegal, and border security will be major issues of discussion.

On Monday, Lopez Obrador urged Biden to improve lives in the region, saying, "You hold the key in your palm."

“This is the moment for us to determine to do away with this abandonment, this disdain, and this forgetfulness for Latin America and the Caribbean,” he said.

He also argued that too many imports come from Asia rather than being manufactured in the Americas.

“We ask ourselves, couldn’t we produce in America what we consume?" he said. "Of course.”

In response, Biden claimed that the United States spends billions of dollars on foreign aid around the world, saying, “Unfortunately our responsibility just doesn't end in the Western Hemisphere.” 

While both men swore to work together, there was a noticeable sharp exchange in front of reporters. They had a private meeting for roughly an hour before supper with Trudeau and their wives.

All three nations are grappling with an influx of immigrants arriving in North America, as well as cracking down on smugglers who profit from encouraging migrants to make the perilous journey to the United States.

Furthermore, Canada and the United States accuse Lopez Obrador of breaking a free trade agreement by prioritizing a state-owned utility over power facilities built by foreign and private investors. Meanwhile, Trudeau and Lopez Obrador are concerned about Biden's efforts to stimulate domestic manufacturing, raising fears that the United States neighbors would fall behind.

Biden and Lopez Obrador have also not been on the best of terms in the last two years. The Mexican President has made no secret of his enthusiasm for Trump and he boycotted a Los Angeles meeting last year because Biden did not invite Cuba, Venezuela, and Nicaragua.

Biden stated last week that the United States and Mexico had struck an agreement on a dramatic adjustment in migration policy.

Hundreds of #migrants, including children, who were denied entry into the #UnitedStates have been left to fend for themselves on the streets in subzero temperatures. pic.twitter.com/CCNG6fmLQR

— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) January 4, 2023

According to the plan, the US will return 30,000 illegal immigrants from Cuba, Nicaragua, Haiti, and Venezuela back across the border each month. For a number of reasons, migrants arriving from those four nations are not simply deported to their home countries.

Furthermore, 30,000 persons every month from those four countries who have sponsors, background checks, and an airplane journey to the United States will be able to work lawfully in the country for two years.

Before the summit began on Monday, Lopez Obrador stated that he would consider taking more migrants than previously announced.

Biden stopped in El Paso, Texas, on his route to Mexico for four hours – his first time at the border as President and the longest he's stayed along the US-Mexico border.

However, the trip is unlikely to appease detractors on both sides, notably immigrant advocates who accuse the Democratic president of instituting inhumane policies.

During Biden's first two years in office, the number of migrants crossing the US-Mexico border has increased considerably. During the fiscal year that ended Sept. 30, there were more than 2.38 million stops, the first time the figure surpassed 2 million.

On Monday afternoon, Lopez Obrador formally welcomed Biden to the Palacio Nacional, the first time Mexico has received a US president since 2014.

Biden is anticipated to travel to Canada after his first trip to Mexico as President, though a date has not yet been set.

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