The arrival of the new U.S. ambassador, Ronald Johnson, is no coincidence. Appointed by the Donald Trump administration, his profile seems a clear message to the government of Claudia Sheinbaum, that Washington doesn't trust the Mexican strategy against organized crime.
The president announced that next Monday she will briefly meet with Johnson at the National Palace. The meeting will also include other diplomats who will present their credentials. Sheinbaum stated that the meeting will be general in nature, focused on "coordination between partners and friendly countries."
No intention to talk about drug trafficking
Although the context demands answers, Sheinbaum avoided stating that she will talk about drug trafficking. She also did not mention anything about the controversial case of the alleged negotiation of the United States with the drug lord Ovidio Guzmán to protect his relatives.
"There will be other opportunities," she said, leaving the matter in the hands of the Foreign Minister Juan Ramón de la Fuente. However, the silence is eloquent. The absence of a firm stance raises doubts about the real commitment of the Morena government against drug trafficking.
The position that Johnson assumes had been vacant since the departure of Ken Salazar, ambassador during the Joe Biden administration. Salazar maintained a tense relationship with the López Obrador governments and had clashes with Sheinbaum. His departure left a space that Trump took advantage of to appoint a much tougher profile.
