On occasions realpolitik interests will win out over long cherished values due to pressing, domestic political realities. On February 21, the New York Times published an article citing Biden Administration sources who claimed that the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) had been investigating AMLO’s links to narco-financing in the 2018 presidential campaign, but that no charges were being pursued. In that context, when the Mexican President calls out a journalist, it’s as good as putting a target on their back. Two days later, in response to another reporter’s question, the White House spokesperson gave a mealy-mouthed response to the doxing episode, saying, “Oh. It indicates that the U.S. government is willing to sublimate one of our most enduring values - freedom of expression - to a transactional desire that Mexico keep migrants from crossing our border.

Source: International New York Times February 29, 2024 23:44 UTC