- “Everyone’s friend is not a friend.” Aristotle.
- “When men are brought together for some purpose, they discover that they can also achieve other ends whose achievement depends on their mutual union.” Thomas Carlyle
The times of internal and external confrontation lead us Mexicans to clearly specify which country, USA or Russia has been, is and will be closer to Mexicoso in the event of hostility between these countries we have to be objective to define as individuals and citizens in a democratic country where are the main interests and benefits for our population and with which country should we have that friendship and alliance.
Let us claim the importance of knowing and thoroughly understanding the promoters of friendship and the alliances Beyond the romanticisms or obsessions anchored in dangerous addiction to the pastthis referred to those youth of the 60’s of the 20th century who today are the ones who govern us.
To fulfill the above, we investigate and examine to what extent the relationship and benefits with the United States of America (USES) and Russian Federation (Russia) asking us some questions and reviewing information and statistics backed by official figures.
What is the meaning of friendship and alliance?
We must be clear that the friendship is a Cordial relationship and of interest established between two or more subjects, in this case countries (USA or Russia)to which they are associated core values as the trust, loyalty, solidarity, sincerity and commitment, themselves what are grown with the treatment and the reciprocal benefit along the history.
In the same sense, the friendship will take us to alliance and consequently to the linking other friendships and alliances with other countries that have the same or similar purposes.
What are the elements for a friendship and alliance?
From our perspective, there are objective and related elements in reference to Mexico with both countries USES and Russia what would be among others:
- Geographical location of each country.
- History and relationship of Mexico with these countries.
- Population exchange (migration and emigration).
- Commercial, economic and financial exchange.
There is a huge distance in reference to all these issues in the relationship of Mexico with USES and Russia. The space of this collaboration would not allow us to mention them in detail, so we will refer to some indicators that they are considered absolute in our country’s relationship with both countries; on the other hand, there is related arguments to which we must discuss in terms of those countries and Mexico, as it is:
5. Social, ideological structure of both countries USA and Russia
Let’s go first to the indicators that are considered absolute in the relationship of our country with both countries.
1. Geographic location
- USA – Mexico; Nearly three thousand kilometers (3,000 Kms) of land border, as well as maritime, unite us, so we couldn’t be closer.
- Russia – Mexico: The distance separates us ten thousand seven hundred and nineteen kilometers (10,719.3 Kms.) which represents a long way to get there by any means.
2. History and relations between these countries and Mexico
- USA and Mexico: The history between the two countries has been complicated, we have had several confrontations, and events in which USES intervened directly or indirectly, most unfavorable to Mexicoand from the first quarter of the 20th century it was reflected in a stage of diplomatic, commercial and political adjustments.
The two-way relationship USES – Mexico it is one of the most complex, mature and institutionalized that currently exist in the world. Mexico maintains a fluid and constant dialogue established with the counterparts of USESin order to advance on the issues on the common agenda. Several treaties have been concluded between the two nations on a multilateral basis.
- Russia and Mexico: The relations they formally date from 1890, when the first ambassadors were officially exchanged between both nations with the appointment of the baron Roman Rosen as Russian plenipotentiary by the Tsar Alexander III.
During the Mexican Revolution (1910-1917) and the Russian Revolution (1917-1923); contact between the two countries was reduced to its minimum expression. Mexico recognized in 1924 to Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR).
On January 26, 1930, the two nations severed diplomatic relations due to ideological differences. After the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991Mexico continued its diplomatic relations with the newly created Russian Federation as it is recognized as the legal successor of the USSR.
During the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Mexico condemned the action of Russia and requested respect for the territorial integrity of that country. Mexico as a non-permanent member in the United Nations Security Council condemned the Russian government. However, on the other hand, the Mexican government also announced that “A diplomatic break with Moscow was not contemplated because the priority was to have open channels of dialogue.”
3. Population Exchange
USA – Mexico (migration and emigration): after the strong 1994 economic crisis on Mexicobegan a massive migration of Mexicans to US cities (see chart) because they found better opportunities than in rural areas of Mexico.
It is recorded that in USES to the 2018resided 12.3 million of people born in Mexico and that they were also living there 26.2 million Mexicans second and third generationNational Population Council), these Mexicans have represented the largest group of foreigners in that country.
The American immigration in Mexico in figures for the year 2020 are seven hundred ninety-seven thousand two hundred sixty-six North Americans (797,266).
- Russia – Mexico (migration and emigration): The number of Mexicans in Russia is not very representative of a migration movement between both countries: three hundred and forty-eight (348) residents to the month of May 2021.
The russian immigration is scattered throughout the territory of Mexico being few in number, 2020 They lived in Mexico two thousand three hundred twenty-one (2,321) Russian citizenscensus of that year, Statistics of the foreign population in Mexico
Four. Commercial, economic, tourist exchange
- USA – Mexico: They maintain economic, financial, commercial and tourist ties that have been strengthened (see chart) with the signature of North American Free Trade Agreement, together with Canada and it is, without a doubt, a dynamic, multi-thematic and strategic relationship. AMCHAM.
- Russia – Mexico: The economic relationship between both countries is very incipient, we include it to provide evidence to some people who are, for various reasons, hypnotized by this beautiful and cultured country, but not very financially and economically sound, in addition to being a warlike country.
So far we have put on the table the statistical information backed by official figures. Now we present a topic that encompasses: cultures, political systems and ideologies and we will close with a reflection of the future more convenient for our country, obviously from our point of view.
5. Social, ideological structure of both countries USA and Russia
In the next two graphs We present some elements to consider regarding the social, ideological, political and economic structure in both countries.
Under the above considerations and after documenting ourselves as civil society, we ask ourselves how Mexicans With whom do we have powerful reasons to make friendship and alliance? with the Russian Federation or with United States of America.
We conclude by citing Niccolò Machiavelli. “In a well-constituted government, war, peace and alliances are discussed as long as they serve not for the satisfaction of a few, but for the common good.”