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	The Connection	By Patrick Osio

Obama And Mexico Why it matters how much the new president cares about Latin America I hope the election of Barack Obama to the presidency of the United States signals better relations with Latin America, of which Mexico is a leading player. One would hope a change is around the bend, but much will depend on the Obama administration’s views on the importance of the region relative to the other problems inherited domestically and around the world. By moving quickly with the Spanish- speaking half of this hemisphere, Obama has a rare opportunity to capitalize on his personal popularity, something he gained directly as a result of an accomplishment that was seen as astonishing in Latin America. For now he is viewed as a man of the people, an underdog who conquered the world’s highest political peak. If the problems in the Middle East, Asia and Europe push Latin America to the back burner (as happened through much of President George Bush’s two terms), the opportunity to capitalize on his larger-than-life persona will be lost. Most San Diegans – and our counterparts across the country – see domestic economic ills as Obama’s highest priority. Once the economy has been cared for, then their president can proceed to a multitude of other internal issues. After that come foreign policy matters in far-off countries where war is not likely. To San Diegans, Mexico is not a far-off destination, but most officials in Washington, D.C., don’t view relations with that nation, and particularly Baja California, as part of a grand foreign relations scheme. The stars are in Europe, Asia and the Middle East. Mexico is simply Mexico and the relations are sometimes good and sometimes bad. We in San Diego are unhappy with Mexico. We avoid visiting Baja because of the almost daily reports of violence in the continuing government war against drug barons. We hold Mexico accountable for the criminal activities occurring in Baja and give little thought to the root of the problem, which is that mobsters are killing themselves and those in their way for the right to supply our drug consumers with their illicit smuggled cargo. Other crimes, such as kidnappings of Mexican business people (a few with residences in San Diego), are a Mexican problem that the government has failed to adequately address. But even here, it is often incorrectly portrayed (or hinted) that the majority of victims are U.S. citizens. Somewhat offsetting that are the very robust international business, social, cultural and educational communities in San Diego with various ties with Baja California and the rest of Mexico. These groups do wonders to keep the flow of business, education, social and cultural exchanges going in trying times. So we have two distinct but interwoven binational situations in San Diego. The first comes from Washington’s foreign policy; the second is San Diego’s relations and policy with Baja California. The Obama cabinet has two Hispanic members, but neither has expertise or much experience in U.S.-Mexico affairs. Former Congresswoman Hilda Solis as labor secretary is best known for championing the environment and workers’ rights. And former Colorado Sen. Ken Salazar as interor secretary has little to say or do with foreign policy. It’s a shame that New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson had to decline the position of commerce secretary due to an unrelated conflict of interest investigation. He truly understands the border and would have been in a position to provide the new president with extraordinarily wise counsel. A lack of influential advocates aside, if Secretary of State Hillary Clinton stays true to her campaign promise and that of Obama’s by bringing NAFTA back for another round of “negotiations,” we could well be faced with a drawn-out adversarial trade confrontation with Mexico and Canada. Not all is bleak. Latin American consultants Frank Sanchez and Dan Restrepo, both well versed and possessing excellent credentials, joined Obama early in his campaign and will serve in his administration. The big important unknown is who will be named as ambassadors to the various Latin American countries. Don’t expect much Latin American influence from San Diego. The local congressional delegation, consisting of two Democrats and three Republicans, seems frozen when it comes to acting as a team on border issues. Each appears to have individual biases to go along with an independent agenda tied to political philosophies. The region likely will depend on Reps. Susan Davis and Bob Filner, both Democrats, to bring to the president’s attention our region’s binational needs and possibilities for economic progress on both sides of the border. The new president takes office at a time when the border region urgently needs champions to push forward projects that will create billions of dollars of businesses. The proposed new port of entry — East Otay Mesa or Otay Mesa II — will by itself boost the regional economy by more than $3 billion. Another project with economic windfall possibilities is a San Diego airport terminal annex at Otay Mesa with a bridge connecting to the Tijuana airport. If done correctly, this would deliver direct trans-Pacific flights to both San Diego and Tijuana without expansion of Lindbergh Field. Also in the works is the modernization of the San Ysidro port of entry, an effort that may finally cut down the excruciating multi-hour wait times for northbound traffic. Those delays cost the Baja-San Diego economy billions of dollars, not to mention the negative effect on air quality from thousands of idling trucks and cars. We could use the breath of fresh air that would come from shortening waits, and its equivalent in enlightened new policy out of Washington, D.C. Patrick Osio Jr. can be reached at posiojr@aol.com. The veteran consultant has participated on writing scripts for documentaries on Baja California real estate, medical services, and retirement information at TransBorderCommunications.com. This article first appeared on the February 2009 issue of the San Diego Metropolitan Magazine.
Patrick Osio, Jr. has written a short but intensive manual on the Mexican perspective on numerous issues between our two countries. The manual is an in depth primer on the culture and protocol for better understanding Mexicans that in turn allows establishing personal and business relationships, and how to avoid the most common faux pas that can ruin relationships and business deals. The manual is available through Electronic delivery for $9.95 About the author Table of Contents Excerpts from the manual The manual is available through Electronic delivery for $9.95 making it possible to download the manual for save on your hard drive, printing its entirety or particular sections while reaping considerable savings over printed copies.