Aguascalientes Opina – December 23, 2024

Trump, the Puppeteer of the Continent

By Aníbal Salazar

As Latin America began to dream of shared leadership, seeking to build bridges and consensus, U.S. President-elect Donald Trump stormed onto the international scene like a bull in a china shop, setting the rhythm of continental politics even before taking office.

From the north, and with a threatening rhetoric, Trump directed his gaze toward his two main trading partners, Canada and Mexico. The first round of his projected mandate came in the form of a tariff threat, leaving both nations wobbling in their economic positions. How will the leaders of these countries respond? With dignity, they claim, although reality shows them trapped in a web of dependence that leaves them no choice but to adjust to the music Trump decides to play.

But the magnate’s strategy is not limited to tariffs; it goes further, touching on sensitive chords. In a move that recalls ghosts of the past, Trump revived an old Republican demand: to declare Mexican cartels as terrorist organizations. This gesture, far from being symbolic, threatens to place the 4T administration at a crossroads similar to the one faced by Felipe Calderón in his time. Will Mexico embark once again on a seemingly endless war, this time imposed from outside?

And as if two fronts were not enough, Trump added a third, this time turning his gaze to the southern part of the continent. In a declaration not devoid of imperialist overtones, the president-elect demanded that Panama “return” control of the Canal, a project built by the United States in the early 20th century and handed over to Panama under the 1977 agreements. Trump described this transition as a “complete scam” and did not hesitate to point to former President Jimmy Carter as responsible for what he considers a historical mistake.

These attitudes from Trump are not new; in fact, they marked his first term between 2017 and 2021, when he adopted an equally aggressive stance against powers such as China and Russia. Both nations learned the lesson and, in this new stage, opt for stealth while preparing containment strategies. However, the key difference lies in their capacity to form an economic front that challenges any U.S. initiative, something Brazil, with all its good intentions, could not achieve.

With these pieces already on the board, it is clear that Trump’s eyes, in his quest for global dominance, are now set on his own continent. Everything else, according to his vision, is already his.

Thus, Latin America faces an impending political storm. While its leaders attempt to articulate a common voice, Trump is already imposing his agenda from Washington. Will this be the prelude to a new chapter of regional submission, or the catalyst for renewed resistance? The answer, as always, will lie in the hands of those who choose to dance or challenge the rhythm Trump dictates from the podium.

Time will tell… and it’s up to your opinion.

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This is a translation of its original version published in Spanish on: Quiero Tv, Ciudad de Aguascalientes Magacín, and A Opinión Magacín.