Mexico: Phantom Issue at the Convention

There was certainly a defense of the border as a whole, and criticism of Republican candidate Donald Trump, for not having any idea of what the region is about

Mexico has been present, but at the same time absent, from the deliberations and pronouncements at the Democratic National Convention.

The word “Mexico” has barely been tested and in fact barely figures in the 2024 Democratic Party platform.

Well, except for mentions of cartels, trade, the border or human traffickers, which people frequently cited usually without any mention of the word Mexico, except occasionally when, as California attorney general, Kamala Harris crossed the border to meet with her Mexican counterparts. Other than that …

Only the fierce Israeli intervention in Gaza in retaliation for the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas and the fate of the hostages, including Americans still being held, has had any resonance, largely due to the constant presence of pro-Palestinian demonstrators, including a handful of delegates, and pro-Israeli counter-demonstrators.

Also, the Russian invasion of Ukraine was part of the conversation, albeit a much smaller part.

Beyond that, what is certain is that this convention was characterized by its insularity. That is mostly because there was a need to introduce Harris to an audience that became aware of her when President Joe Biden was forced to abandon his reelection campaign to make way for someone younger, more energetic and without the burden of frustrated expectations that already hung over the incumbent.

And of course, there is vice presidential candidate and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz whose state borders Canada and which is better known for its football and baseball teams (the Vikings and the Twins, respectively) than for anything else.

There was certainly a defense of the border as a whole and criticism of Republican candidate Donald Trump for not having any idea of what that region is all about, something he has repeatedly used to create concern and even fear in Americans over issues ranging from migration and its evils, especially the “hundreds of thousands” of people attacked or killed by people in the United States without documentation, or by drug cartels and fentanyl, and by the possibility of “terrorists” from anywhere in the world infiltrating the 3,000-kilometer (approximately 1,864-mile) border.

Democrats have responded, not in defense of Mexico but because of how important it is for the Mexican government to cooperate with President Biden’s immigration and border security proposals, and by extension how important that is now to Democratic presidential candidate, Vice President Harris.

The growing presence of Hispanic legislators of Mexican descent was noted in light of the growing importance of the Hispanic minority on the U.S. political and economic map. But the absence of any mention of Mexico may be a cause for concern, not because it reflects indifference, but quite the opposite.