AMLO, Trump and Chili Pepper in Walnut Sauce

No matter how much one diets, there are dishes that cannot be resisted. They are delicacies. A feast for any palate. A good foie gras, for example. And what about the very Mexican dish, chili peppers in walnut sauce? The mouth salivates at the mere mention of it.

However, in this article, I am not going to discuss culinary delights. No. My only intention is to compare the delights of the palate with another type of pleasure: the journalistic sort. There are events that, by nature, really beg for analysis. One of these is the upcoming meeting between the presidents of Mexico and the United States. If you’ll excuse the expression, this is a “journalistic chili pepper in walnut sauce.”

First of all, because of the two personalities we are talking about. Two political animals who are constantly thinking about how to get their electoral cut out of something. It’s all about them, them, them. They love being in a permanent election campaign and feeling the devotion of a sector of the population which adores them.

We are faced with two populist demagogues. Two public relations geniuses. Two nationalists who hate globalization.

What will happen when they finally meet face to face?

Donald Trump undoubtedly has the hometown advantage: the White House itself, the very heart of the U.S. empire. Furthermore, this is Trump, who is like a caged lion because everything suggests that he will lose at the ballot box in November. Let’s not be fooled: If he invited Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador to Washington, it is because he wants to use the Mexican president electorally to garner votes. Undoubtedly from Mexican Americans. But also, perhaps, from his loyal voter base who might enjoy how he subjugates (humiliates?) the president of those Mexicans who “are bringing drugs. They’re bringing crime. They’re rapists. And some, I assume, are good people.”

From the other point of view — AMLO’s — his first foreign visit will also make for a big show. To begin with, his journey on a commercial aircraft. The departure from Mexico City and the Republican reception in Washington. The journey (by white Jetta?) from the civilian airport to the White House. Oh, how good that chili pepper in walnut sauce looks.

Who knows what will happen in the private meetings between the presidents. But afterward, there will be photos, the anti-Mexican Trump extending his hand and pulling AMLO toward him in characteristic fashion. Will the Mexican smile or will he be surly?

Will there be a joint press conference? Hopefully.

If so, who will be the lucky journalist who asks the question about the wall the U.S. is building on its border with Mexico, and if the southern neighbor is paying for it, just as Trump promised during his 2016 campaign? Will the Mexican delegation take Lord Molecule* to suck up to AMLO and ask him one of his characteristically silly questions?

Will Trump get angry over something AMLO says? Will he start tweeting his boastful comments? Will he surprise us with some new information? Will his administration leak a scandalous piece of news in order to debilitate the president when he arrives, as other U.S. presidents have done on several occasions?

All the experts in the bilateral relationship have said, and rightly so, that the president of Mexico has a lot to lose and little to gain from this visit to a Trump who is only playing on the U.S. electoral field. This is common sense.

At one point, the possibility of a trilateral meeting, in which Canada’s prime minister would also participate, was suggested. The purpose of this was to celebrate the effective date of the new free trade agreement between the three North American nations. But Justin Trudeau refused to visit Trump because he knows that, at the moment, the U.S. president is radioactive. It is not wise to send out the message that his nation is taking risks by visiting Trump as the election approaches. Losing favor with the Democrats, who are more likely to return to the White House with Joe Biden, must be avoided.

But, unlike Trudeau, AMLO will go to support Trump.

What does the Mexican president owe him that he needs to display so much deference? Might the U.S. government have some type of explosive information with which to blackmail our president? Why the hell do we analysts have to be speculating about this when we all know that the wisest thing is not to go to Washington at this time?

For the good and dignity of Mexico, if only AMLO would not meet with Trump. It is a bad idea and a national embarrassment. But, as an analyst, I do not want to miss out on this journalistic delicacy. It is like a wrestling match between the two masked titans: El Santo and Blue Demon. Who will win?

*Editor’s Note: The pseudonym “Lord Molecule” is that of journalist Carlos Pozos Soto, for his physical appearance, flamboyant attire and strong support of AMLO.