Mexico Under Sheinbaum: An Evolving Role in International Relations
Mexico, under the leadership of President Claudia Sheinbaum, is actively shaping its international relationships, often asserting its sovereignty in ways that challenge traditional Western alignments. Sheinbaum is emerging as a “peace president,” risking her political standing by defying long-standing US policy and spearheading a strategic shift in Mexico’s global engagement. Her foreign policy choices—from deepening a close material support relationship with Cuba to supporting Palestine and Venezuela, knee deep in US sanctions. These deepening ties with the Global South signal a determined push for full sovereignty, free from US corporate influence.
Latin American Leadership: Forging Unity and Alternatives
President Sheinbaum is playing a central role in strengthening regional cooperation, positioning Mexico as a leading political and economic voice among its neighbors while remaining the number one trading partner with the United States.
At the recent 16th Summit of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC), held in Brazil and attended by over 30 heads of state, Claudia led the charge for unity and regional control. She advocated for inter-regional trade and commercial agreements to further programs and projects in critical areas, including health systems, equipment, AI, technology, pharmaceuticals, education, and cultural exchange. Her domestic message is repeated almost like a mantra: “No rich government can exist with a poor population,” or “For the good of all, the poor come first.” At the Rio Summit, she requested that her colleagues allocate 1% of their military budgets to people experiencing poverty in their respective countries.
CELAC, formed by her predecessor, AMLO, was intended as an alternative to the Organization of American States (OAS), which Mexico views as favoring only Western interests and undermining the sovereignty of Latin American and Caribbean nations. This year, CELAC was strengthened alongside the Alliance for the Peoples of Our America (ALBA), founded by Cuba and Nicaragua to protect their hard-won independent status and to promote political and economic interests throughout the Americas. Mexico’s firm stance against any invasion or attack on Venezuela has resonated throughout the continent in light of ALBA’s condemnation of the warships off the Venezuelan coast. Claudia has defied the US embargo on Cuba, steadily supplying it with the hydrocarbons it needs. Mexico has stated its plan to make Cuba a “hub” (center) for medical and energy production, maintaining significant ties in sectors such as energy, agriculture, and tourism via the “Wellness Development Hub.”
Relations with the US: The Counter-Narrative
Mexico’s relationship with its northern neighbor is complex, marked by friendly trade talks but heated political rhetoric, including threats from Donald Trump that continue unabated against Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo. While some Mexican states have seen a 60 percent reduction in crime of all types, cartel accusations from the US are extreme, and invasion talk in Congress has been recorded.
At a visit to the National Palace, where US-Mexico security sharing was discussed (though no agreement was signed), Secretary of State Rubio said he expected Mexico to allow more US surveillance in the country for the well-being of the US and Mexico. Both powerful voices agreed to send Mexican criminals to the US, as requested by the US government, and to exchange military training for illegal border migration and intrusion. Both countries have thousands of soldiers stationed along the almost 2,000-mile border. The US continues to threaten Mexico with illegal fentanyl justification, despite Mexico’s solid data of massive gun and drug confiscation and incarceration of cartel members. Mexico recently arrested unauthorized US DEA employees in Mexican states. Any foreign combatant in Mexico must have permission to be there for that purpose.
Mexico counters this narrative by citing its domestic security successes. The focus on safety and security, built up with National Guard involvement, has resulted in a shocking reduction of crime (40% since taking office in Mexico City). The National Guard performs large-scale engineering and other civil defense activities throughout Mexico. Media directed from D.C. channels place issues of narcotics and security squarely on Mexico’s shoulders, despite an extraordinary decrease in crime over the last year—and the fact that 85 percent of illegal guns come from the US north.
In a move showing consideration and high praise for its expatriate workers, Claudia has been generous in her reception of returning US-Mexican-born migrants, providing them with jobs, a Bienestar Paisano Card that signals “Mexico embraces you,” and often housing and insurance. Thousands of Mexican workers in the US have returned to Mexico, while many have gone to Canada for improved conditions.
Diversifying Trade Partners: Mexico’s Quest for Sovereignty
Despite heated political rhetoric, the US remains Mexico’s major trading partner, with much of the new investment in Mexico’s industries coming from the US and Canada. However, in response to heavy tariff threats and contrived obstructions, Mexico is strategically diversifying its trade partners.
Mexico is now actively trading with Russia, China, India, and the BRICS nations. This multipolar strategy bolsters its quest for full sovereignty and economic independence. This political and economic friction has been evident in recent US trade snafus, such as:
- Texas halted a large cattle-export business from Mexico to Texas, citing the detection of screw worms. After the Texas Barren Fly factory, which eliminates the worm, closed its doors to Mexican purchases, Mexico responded by exporting its cattle to India and Russia.
- Texas halted water deliveries to Tijuana, though agreements have since been renegotiated.
Major infrastructure projects, such as ports and railroads designed to expand trade routes to Asia, Africa, and the Americas, support this push for diversification. After years of international negotiations, Mexico is building a railroad through Belize and Guatemala, and later Honduras, for expanded trade, and has recently signed a security agreement among the three countries. The railroad is an extension of the fast “Tren Maya,” which will link Central America to newly built ports in Veracruz (Atlantic) and Salina Cruz (Pacific) via the Interoceanic Corridor of Tehuantepec. This project shows great economic promise for farmers, peasants, indigenous people, and public investment markets.
This article is the second in a series of articles about Mexico by Ellen Mass. Read the first article in this series. Stay tuned for additional articles in future eNews issues. To learn more about Mexico and stay updated on Claudia Sheinbaum’s administration, visit Mexico News Daily for her daily press conferences featuring Mexican journalists and engaged visitors.
Sources and Further Learning:
Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo daily LIVE news channel-YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/@ClaudiaSheinbaumP
Tri-Continental: https://thetricontinental.org/dossier/
Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Claudia_Sheinbaum
BIO from Britannica: https://www.britannica.com/biography/Claudia-Sheinbaum
Approval tracker: https://www.as-coa.org/articles/approval-tracker-mexicos-president-claudia-sheinbaum
Tri-Continental Press: Dossier: September 9, 2025: https://thetricontinental.org/dossier-mexico-fourth-transformation/
New Left Review: Tony Wood: https://newleftreview.org/issues/ii147/articles/tony-wood-mexico-in-flux
Independence Day celebrations led by Claudia: https://mexiconewsdaily.com/?utm_source=newsletter_paid
Gobernar con ojos de mujer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ifryQY5fd0
Jeffrey Sachs describes Mexican democracy with Justice, September 17, 2025: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GvnLGjFFNP4
Fresno Community Alliance articles by WILPF member Leni Villagomez Reeves:
https://fresnoalliance.com/u-s-government-repeatedly-attacks-mexican-americans/
https://fresnoalliance.com/mexico-court-reform/
https://fresnoalliance.com/u-s-threats-and-attacks-in-latin-america/
https://mexiconewsdaily.com/news/sheinbaum-plan-mexico-projects/
