Declaration in support of Mexico

XXV Congress of the Socialist International, Cartagena, Colombia, 2-4 March 2017

Original: Spanish

On 25 January 2016, only five days after his inauguration as President of the United States of America, Donald Trump signed an executive order for the construction of a wall on the border with the United Mexican States in order to prevent the irregular entry of citizens of Mexico and of other Ibero-American countries into the United States of America.

Since the executive order was signed, Trump has repeatedly reaffirmed his intention that the cost of the wall (estimated at between US$10,000 million and $25,000 million) will be "directly or indirectly" borne by Mexico and is even considering a 20% tariff on imports from Mexico, stating, inter alia, that such an approach would offset the cost of the wall in a short space of time.

As President of the United States of America, these actions and statements are a manifestation of the attitude of contempt that Trump has shown towards people of Hispanic and Latin American origin throughout the electoral period. This is not just an attack on Mexico and Mexicans, but also an attack on the entire Ibero-American Community and as such, the entire international community.

These acts have serious consequences, and the Congress of the Socialist International cannot remain on the sidelines in the face of such acts. As socialists, we cannot allow any country to be treated with contempt, especially Mexico today, a sovereign country that cannot have its dignity humiliated.

We must remember that the United States of America has always managed its borders and set a high level of requirements for its trade and other relations. Other international actors have always respected the interests of the United States of America. It is out of place to be treated or to have a relationship that is not respectful and equal. Donald Trump must realise that understanding and dialogue – rather than contempt and threats – with his neighbours from the South and allies are not just in the interests of his own country, but also of the entire international community.

The XXV Congress of the Socialist International:

  • Expresses its firm solidarity with the United Mexican States, faced with contemptuous treatment through the actions and statements of the President of the United States, Donald Trump.
  • Condemns President Trump's decision to build a wall between the border of Mexico and the United States of America and any action to economically penalise Mexicans in order to meet the cost of  constructing such wall.
  • Urges the immediate convocation of a meeting of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the Ibero-American Community of Nations in Mexico to address this issue jointly and to promote a common position in support of Mexico.