Here’s How Mexico’s President Could Be A Spoiler In The US Election

Voters across the political spectrum are laser-focused on a few key issues ahead of November’s election — and polls show that immigration is either at or near the top of the list.

Given Mexico’s inextricable role in the ongoing border crisis, analysts say the president of that country is in a unique position to play an outsized role in the outcome of America’s presidential race.

The ball is in his court

Both incumbent President Joe Biden and presumptive GOP nominee Donald Trump have paid a lot of lip service to the issue of immigration. The former has endorsed a policy of diplomacy with America’s southern neighbor while the latter is advocating for a more hard-line approach to illegal immigration.

But regardless of which strategy is being pursued, much of the power remains in the hands of Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, aka AMLO.

That influence was on display late last year when Biden worked to put together a delegation of officials to visit Mexico City, ultimately securing increased enforcement from the southern side of the border and a significant drop in illegal crossings as 2024 got underway.

But AMLO could just as easily scale back enforcement on the Mexican side, essentially opening up the border for a new influx of migrants.

What it all means

Whether Biden or Trump wins in November, they will need the support of their Mexican counterpart to establish any real progress on the border. During a recent “60 Minutes” interview, AMLO denied he would utilize his leverage against the U.S., citing the “very important” relationship between the two countries.

But his ability to decrease or increase the flow of migrants into the U.S. nevertheless has the ability to shape public sentiment on a pivotal issue with just over seven months until Election Day.

Chris Agee March 27th, 2024

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