Breathe
By Heidi Osuna
Donald Trump's strategy of blaming Mexico for the internal problems of the United States is not new, and in this second term it is even more aggressive. His discourse has served as an excuse to divert attention from the crisis the U.S. faces due to uncontrolled drug consumption and illegal arms sales, while ignoring the lack of control over distribution networks within its own territory.
According to a compendium of polls conducted by Enkoll for El País and W Radio, 58% of Mexicans are opposed to U.S. agents operating in Mexico to combat organized crime. This rejection is transversal and does not depend on political affiliation. Resistance is even greater among young people between the ages of 25 and 34, with 66% against. In addition, 72% of those interviewed believe that the U.S. is very or somewhat responsible for the violence in the country, especially due to arms trafficking.
This citizen rejection is not minor. The citizens' position is clear: security must be resolved from Mexico, without foreign interference. However, the Trump administration continues to bet on measures ranging from the imposition of tariffs, currently on hold for a month, to the militarization of the border and pressure for other countries to designate Mexican cartels as terrorist organizations, which generates expectations of more hostile operations.
These actions not only seek to put pressure on the country, but also to strengthen Trump's image among his electoral base in a weak and polarized start to his term. With 48.8% approval and 44.1% disapproval, according to FiveThirtyEight's average approval rating, he faces the challenge of projecting himself as a strong leader. The security crisis in Mexico has become a key plank of his narrative, a justification for toughening immigration policies and maintaining the support of his electorate, which has responded positively to his nationalist and confrontational discourse.
