Mexico’s Transformation in the Shadow of Trump’s America

“Mexico’s Transformation in the Shadow of Trump’s America” 
with Laura Carlsen
Chair: Étienne von Bertrab (Development Planning Unit)

Mexico bucked the trend of right-wing governments in Latin America on July 1, 2018, when Andrés Manuel Lopez Obrador (AMLO) won the presidential election by a landslide. The promises of a ‘radical transformation’, a fight against corruption and greater equality in the nation that was the laboratory of neoliberalism raised expectations, not only in Mexico but around the world.

A year later, the new government has confronted unexpected obstacles and intransigent problems. As the US government under Donald Trump moves openly toward a vision of white supremacist, patriarchal and oligarchical rule—with widespread popular support- antagonism toward Mexico, the left and especially immigrants has intensified. Trump's threats have backed the AMLO government into an uncomfortable corner.

How much room for manoeuvre does the AMLO government have? What is Lopez Obrador's vision and will he break with vested interests? Can Mexico become a world leader for progressive change and at the same time avoid confrontation with the Trump administration, as seems to be the strategy? Join us for a discussion of the new role of Mexico in the world -the changes, the hopes and challenges.

Laura Carlsen (B.A. Social Thought and Institutions, Stanford University; Masters, Latin American Studies, Stanford) is a Mexican-American political analyst, journalist and media commentator based in Mexico. She directs the Americas Program of the Center for International Policy and has written extensively on NAFTA, the drug war, immigration and gender issues in The Nation, Le Monde, USA Today, NYT, etc. and is a regular columnist and commentator and television host. She co-edited Confronting Globalization: Economic Integration and Popular Resistance in Mexico and participates in movements against militarization and for human rights on both sides of the border.

The Americas Program of the Center for International Policy celebrates its 40th year as a critical source of news and analysis on the impact of U.S. policy and grassroots movements for social justice in Latin America. The Americas Program is a key reference for activists, academics and citizens concerned about reforming US foreign policy, protecting human rights and building peace and democracy in the hemisphere. Based in Mexico City, we have a network of analysts, volunteers and partner organizations across the region to further our goal of opening a forum for social justice movements suppressed by mainstream media while seeking to build a North-South dialogue on issues that affect us all. See www.americas.org

This event is free, but please register using the Eventbrite link at the top of this page. This event is facilitated by the UCL Institute of the Americas, The Bartlett Development Planning Unit as well as UCL History, together with the Radical Americas Network.