Latin American Perspectives of American Presidents

Event Details

Mexican Ambassador Francisco Cuevas Cancino, a former ambassador to the UN and UNESCO, explains that Mexico?s foreign policy, born out of the Revolution of 1910, aims at following the principles of nonintervention, self-determination, and the peaceful settlement of international disputes. Furthermore, he mentions that the two main parts of Mexico?s foreign policy are the maintenance of a nonintervention line and the avoidance of contradictions with the US due to major economic dependency. This makes it difficult for Mexico to reconcile its national interests with the various Central American countries. Ambassador Cuevas Cancino discusses Mexico?s position regarding Cuba, the effect of the various Central American crises on Mexican foreign policy since 1979, Mexican support towards the Sandinistas, and the belief that the option of revolutionary change is as valid for Central America as it was for Mexico in 1910. However, he does mention that many US policy makers view Mexico?s foreign policy as anti-American and are irritated that other Central American countries are following this position. He concludes by critiquing the Organization of American Sates (OAS) and stating that democracy changes between countries.