Los Cabos, BCS. _ The relationship between Mexico y United States is a history of very long duration, with many cultural, value, economic, commercial and social affinities, but in the face of the artificially created discord fed by political power, there are ghosts that must be dispelled, he said. Enrique Krauze.
The Mexican historian, essayist and intellectual was the guest of honor at the Sea of Cortez Forum to give the Plenary lecture: History of the U.S.-Mexico Relationship. For nearly 50 minutes, he broke down the rich history shared by both nations and the challenges facing this interaction today.
"In the case of Mexico and the United States, what has happened, especially in recent times, is the resurrection of certain myths that are basically telling us about the political use of history," he said.
"There are a lot of ghosts of the past here that we need to dispel. That needs to be talked about. It's unfortunate that it finds us that challenge at a time of discord."
Krauze referred to old myths of history that Mexico cannot forget the aggravation of the 1846-1848 invasion, which cost it a large part of its territory.
The intellectual stressed that Mexicans integrate very well in the United States without losing their fundamental values and, by integrating, they do much good to the neighboring country, for the economic contribution and for what it means to them in all senses.
"In economics, in culture, in values, in religion, Mexicans and Americans basically interpenetrate and relate to each other very well," he said.
"There was a gigantic paradigm shift with the Free Trade Agreement. The benefits have been enormous.
However, what has happened is the despicable use and abuse of history from politics to manipulate people, especially in the last 6 years, he said.
"There has been no discord for many years between Mexicans and the United States, this (the current one) is a discord artificially fueled by politics. It is deeply mistaken. What can happen? Not a war can happen, we are not in the Middle East. Something very sad can happen: losing a generation or two," he lamented.
Krauze said he does not believe the time will come when any of the powers that govern Mexico today will demand an apology from the next President of the United States, Donald Trump, for the war of 1846 to 1848, but it is undeniable that there is a lot of noise and confusion in the air.
"The security relationship has not been good, mutual understanding has not been good, and the attitude, basically condescending, of the United States with respect to Mexico has not been good," he commented.
He indicated that in the United States there has been a very strong resurgence of a nativist impulse in which there is talk of mass deportations and these issues must be taken seriously.
"What a pity that this second Presidency (of Donald Trump) we Mexicans cannot face it with serenity, with intelligence, with prudence and, above all, united, in the basic sense, united in a thing called the Republic," he said.
"That country is, in disunity, a bad omen to be able to face with maturity what may come in the United States, including the opportunities that may come, because there may be many, many opportunities."
The intellectual stressed that beyond Trump's eccentricities, not even raising a 23-meter wall can avoid the fact that Mexico and the United States are neighbors, and that there are Mexicans there and Americans on this side.
Optimistic about the current context, Krauze said that there are a series of actions that can be taken from the cultural and academic world to preserve and enrich what unites both countries, while the house is put in order and the discord is resolved.
