Mounce: Mexico: Technical Solution or Miraculous Cure?

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An old joke, often told by Mexicans: God promises his angels to solve Mexico’s problems. He asks: “do you want the technical solution, or the miraculous cure?” “Please explain,” answered the bewildered angels, angelically concerned about disparities of wealth, about violence.

God answers “the technical solution? La Virgen de Guadalupe will re-appear, wave her hands, and all will be resolved.” But then, wonder the angels, what is the miraculous cure? “Oh, all the warring Mexican groups get together, compromise, and solve their own problems.”

Perhaps a bit of both types of solution necessary? Many in our neighboring country to the south (and the United States’ number one trading partner) feel that way. Mexicans are realistic. They often repeat a Spanish version of “hope makes a nourishing breakfast, but a lean supper.” But Mexicans can be optimistic. Any data (datos) to support that optimism?

Yes, ample data. The government is stable. The new Presidenta, Claudia Sheinbaum, has achieved a popularity above that of her predecessor, AMLO (Lopez Obrador). First female (and Jewish) president, trained as a physicist, she has “built a career on technocratic competence” (Stephania Taladrid, “Across the Gulf,” New Yorker, 28 April 25). But she also describes herself as a “daughter of el sesenta y ocho,” the decade of 1968 student protests against authoritarian government.

Later, Sheinbaum and other young students and professors supported Cuauhtemoc Cardenas, son of former President Lazaro Cardenas, friend and admirer of FDR. I’m proud to count him among my friends; we were both friends of Don Eduardo Rios, rius (RIP), famed political cartoonist. Don Cuahtemoc, the “grand old man” of Mexican politics, accepted my invitation. He came to Pan American University to speak; later, came his son Cuahtito. Our students packed the auditoriums. They both spoke of valiant efforts by many sectors in Mexico to bury the negative past, to accept the challenge of the future. Scheinbaum echos that hope and effort.

La Presidenta boasts of reducing Mexico’s homicide rate by more than 50%. The watchdog group, Mexico Evalua, lauded her progress reducing cartel violence. She adamantly denounces “interventionists at our door,” referring to Trump’s threats to send troops across the border. Many in Mexico call her “la nueva dama de hierro,” the new Iron Lady. But she compromises when necessary, sending troops to the border, staving off some of the worst of Trump’s threats regarding tariffs.

Internal threats remain. During Trump’s on-again, off-again tariffs came word of a scandal, now called the “Mexican Auschwitz,” a dump of bodies and clothing in Jalisco, evidence of a massacre, still unsolved, still unpunished. A mother’s group, “400 Shoes and 400 Candles,” persists in its protests and entreaties for justice. There is hope Sheinbaum’s own past, connected with Comite Eureka, a group she marched with decades ago, will haunt her, guide her to investigate more forcefully. If Mexico is truly on the economic rise, la Presidenta must include a renewed commitment to pursuing and punishing the lawless, those without morals.

Meanwhile, times are hard, the challenge is great. The economic dilemmas affect us on this side of the Rio Grande/Rio Bravo. We have been hit hard by the closing of the sugar cane industry; the Valley still faces drought, threatening citrus and other crops. Now comes Trump’s “crackdown on immigration, makes finding farmworkers challenging” (“Economic Turmoil Tests Valley’s Tourism Industry,” AIM Media—Texas Editorial Board, 26 Apr 25). But Mexico has even worse problems.

Some aspects of the “lean supper,” indicators of unfortunate stalemate in Mexico’s economy: gained via a recent trip across the border to Progreso. I posed questions to a variety of folk (vendors, waiters, barbers, even the mozo assisting in the bar of famous Arturo’s Restaurant men’s room). Asked about the economy, they had one common, agree-upon theme: “turismo esta muy bajo” (tourism is down).

Causes? Trump’s tariffs, causing rises in prices on both sides; a sense of fear, preventing crossing from the Mexican side. One woman was stopped by US officials, simply on suspicion she was not really coming to shop, but to work. Another official, upon searching the purse of another would-be-shopper, decided on his own to send her back; she “had not enough money for grocery shopping.”

Other residents of the Rio Grande Valley of Texas, who depend so much on shoppers from Mexico to keep the economy buzzing, can attest to similar accounts. Back in Progreso, in my peluqueria, barber and customer were aware of the effects of US politics. They laughed when I warned them, facetiously, “the F.B.I might pay you a visit.” I had seen their fake “Trump Dollar Bill” plastered on the mirror behind the barber chair., among the many pieces of foreign currency gracing the shop, symbols of a once-thriving international trade. They knew not of higher economics but certainly were aware of the pain at their level.

Further bad news arrives almost daily from the business sector in Mexico. One close, reliable source I interviewed (who shall remain anonymous) is head of multiple medium to large businesses. He admits “la situacion en Mexico es preocupante” (the situation is troublesome), an understatement. The economy is “estable” but the government is maintaining a huge deficit, “lo mas grande en 30 anos” (largest in 30 years). He attributes this to programs for the aging and the unemployed, and for “ni-nos” (no estudian, ni trabajan (students who allegedly don’t study, nor work).

Those allegations might be questionable and not just by MORENA (the government’s party) loyalists. My conservative contact admits the inability to generate new investment is partly due to Trump’s “proteccionista” policies. “Las aranceles (tariffs) estan golpeando mucho nuestras exportaciones” (they are striking hard at our exports). “Tenemos una bomba de tiempo en las manos” (we’ve got a time bomb on our hands).

Others (middle and lower classes) have developed a faith in Sheinbaum. Journalist Manuel Padrero asserts: “Mexico Se Blinda Contra Trump” that is, Mexico is wrapping itself in armor with the president’s “Plan de Mexico” (TV’s “Sin Mascaras,” 1 May 25) That set of policies includes a thirteen point set of (admirable! but doable?) goals to increase production; reduce poverty; especially regional disparities; and reduce reliance on Chinese imports. It provides hope for the “nourishing breakfast.”

But a Mexican president only has one six-year term. She will have to hurry. If/when (some? most?) of the Plan can be activated, the results will be seen as a miracle. Then–Dios sabra (God only knows)–technical, practical responses by industrious Mexicans will flourish. The Rio Grande Valley wishes them well.

Editor’s Note: The above guest column was penned by writer Dr. Gary Joe Mounce, a professor emeritus (political science) at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. He can be reached by email via: gjmounce@gmail.com.

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