Thanks to Carlos Elizondo Mayer-Serra, I have a magnificent parallel between Donald Trump and Iran, on the one hand, and Claudia Sheinbaum and the Spanish monarchy, on the other. It seems strange, but a great affinity prevails between both themes.
Trump has celebrated his agreement with the Iranian theocracy for many reasons, but the most notable centers on the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. As is known, since the American-Israeli bombing, which began on February 28, said maritime passage was closed to navigation. A fifth of the oil and natural gas consumed in the world passes through there, and a similar proportion of fertilizers, urea and ammonia.
The interruption was explained by several factors: Tehran’s willingness to close the strait, threatening transit ships with mines, drones and speedboats; the reluctance of shipping companies to take risks; and the reluctance of insurers in London to protect ships that dared to pass through the strait.
Trump’s so-called peace deal reopens the strait; None of the other American objectives were achieved, at least at this stage. In other words, the pact reestablishes the status quo in view of: we return exactly to the situation that prevailed before the war. War caused by Trump. Without any need, without Iranian provocation, without urgency, and in the midst of Washington’s negotiation with Tehran through the government of Oman. After thousands of deaths, billions of dollars of military spending, a significant increase in energy prices and a possible famine in Africa, Trump triumphs by erasing the effect of a cause that he invented without any need. It is the story of the rabbi and the goat that I have told on several occasions. His coryphaes in Fox News and social networks celebrate him, praise him and the rest of the world doesn’t know whether to laugh or cry.
At the beginning of 2019, López Obrador initiated an unnecessary, absurd lawsuit with Spain, lacking any justification, and in the absence of any provocation on the part of the Spanish government, or the Iberian head of state. He demanded an apology for the atrocities committed according to him by the conquistadors of the 16th century, by the colonizers of the two subsequent centuries, and by all the Spaniards of that time (who were not Spanish). He immediately escalated the conflict by disclosing the existence and part of the content of the letter delivered to Pedro Sánchez in Mexico, and continued to exacerbate the confrontation with other alleged offenses incurred. Among them, the (false) nonexistence of a response from Felipe VI, the stubbornness of the Spaniards not to respond to his demand and, finally, the declaration of a “pause” (whatever that means), of the relations between Mexico and Spain.
Needless to say, López Obrador’s whim did not come at the price of Trump’s. In the end, it didn’t matter that much, except for the opportunity cost. For six years, a potentially privileged interlocutor for Mexico in Europe was despised; an ideological ally was neglected; and the Mexican bear was the object of ridicule and punishment throughout Latin America.
Sheinbaum continued with the confrontation, refusing to invite the king to his inauguration, provoking the predictable Spanish reaction: either the king, or no one. Again, nothing very serious, but more embarrassment. Until the dispute gradually cooled down, more because of the Spanish than because of Mexico, without the famous forgiveness arising, but thanks to a “recognition” of the abuses against the native peoples that both Felipe VI and his father mentioned and condemned on multiple occasions since 1992.
Now, with the meeting between Sheinbaum and the king during the latter’s visit to Mexico to witness the match between Spain and Uruguay, the whole farce comes to an end. And the coryphaes of the 4T – the commentocracy looks good and the related media, such as Millennium, The Countryamong others—already celebrate, and will celebrate—perhaps in the Ángel—Mexico’s feat. After a great diplomatic and cultural effort, a patient and even-handed effort, the cool-headed president resolved the problem, or the crisis.
What problem or crisis? Well, the one that she and her predecessor created, just like Trump. We return to status quo anteand nothing more. Because no one will ask for forgiveness, no one will say anything new, she will be able to continue glorifying the native peoples, and Felipe VI will repeat that abuses did occur. Eight years of nonsense will have been overcome, without any benefit to anyone, but the 4T will be able to celebrate reaching the fifth game (which is actually the equivalent of the fourth before), and its coryphaes, like Trump’s, will save face, or at least the furniture.
*This article was originally published in the Nexos Magazine.
