Amid the upcoming presidential election in the U.S., which could mean four more years in power for Donald Trump or Joe Biden could replace Trump, we wonder what role will Latin America play and if the election results will result in the modification of the relationship between Latin American and the U.S.
Although it seems obvious that any other candidate would be better than Donald Trump, experts indicate that Biden is not precisely the best option for the relationship between Latin America-U.S. During Barack Obama’s presidency, Biden was responsible for the careless relationship with the region, which sparked an uncontrollable wave of drug trafficking and migration towards the U.S., as well as fratricidal violence inside the region.
Trump has declared war on Venezuela, a nation that has the support of Cuba and Nicaragua. On the other hand, Trump is wary of Mexico and Central America as a result of immigration . In a bid to contain the surge in migration, Trump’s administration aims to build higher walls, a task carried out by the Mexican government.
Immigration is a conflict that will be rekindled after the COVID-19 pandemic slows down, driven by the brutal impact generated by the economic crisis in each of the countries in Central and South America.
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Mexico must be prepared because its immigration policy has been contradictory. First, it said it would welcome migrants with open arms, but then it changed its stance, closed its border, and fulfilled the requests made by the U.S. government.
At this time, Mexico has not renovated its stance on migration; therefore, the country must be ready to face more migrant caravans . It is impossible to do two contradictory things at the same time: promise asylum and a job to migrants, but also become the U.S.’ wall.
There is pessimism surrounding migration and other issues, despite who wins the upcoming U.S. election; moreover, experts don’t expect changes in the relationship between Latin America and the U.S. If there are any changes, we hope they are positive.
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