The meetings follow a period of increased strain in the bilateral relationship, over the US arrest, and subsequent release, of former Mexican Defence Minister General Salvador Cienfuegos. They also come amid a surge in undocumented migration, one of several long-standing issues that will increase tensions.
The more affable tone of US-Mexican relations under Biden will not alter long-standing US drug and migration control priorities.
US engagement with, and funding for, Mexican human rights and anti-corruption NGOs could foster tensions with the AMLO administration.
AMLO’s poor record of containing criminal violence and his enduring aversion to coercive law enforcement will test security cooperation.
Poor security cooperation will damage both parties, making the rescue and redefinition of bilateral security cooperation crucial.
