America at 250 seen through eyes of the world

By the Editorial Team · Friday, July 10, 2026

Tensions between the US and Mexico have intensified due to policy shifts under the Trump administration, including labeling Mexican drug cartels as terrorist groups and undisclosed CIA operations on Mexican soil. These developments have significantly damaged bilateral trust and public opinion in Mexico, complicating cooperation on trade, security, and immigration as the US marks its 250th anniversary.

As the United States marks its 250th anniversary, its image abroad reflects a mix of respect for its historical ideals and concern over recent shifts in policy and rhetoric. In Mexico, the US-Mexico relationship remains complicated and often tense, shaped by a shared history of conflict and ongoing issues surrounding trade, immigration, and security.

The longstanding quote attributed to former Mexican dictator Porfirio Díaz—“Poor Mexico, so far from God, so close to the US”—captures the persistent influence of the United States on its southern neighbour. The legacy of the Mexican-American War (1846-1848), which resulted in Mexico ceding more than half of its national territory to the US, remains a sensitive point in bilateral relations. This historical memory was rekindled in 2026 when former US President Donald Trump described the war as “a triumphant victory for American sovereignty,” remarks that elicited strong negative reactions in Mexico.

After decades of relatively cooperative relations on trade and security, the dynamic shifted under Trump’s presidency. Early in his term, Trump labelled Mexican drug cartels as terrorist organisations through an executive order and pushed for US military involvement on Mexican soil to combat narcotics trafficking—requests met with resistance from Mexico’s federal government. Polling data reflects this deterioration: nearly 70% of Mexicans now view the US unfavourably, a notable increase from the 60% approval rate observed during the administration of President Joe Biden.

Tensions deepened following revelations that CIA operatives had conducted counter-narcotics operations within Mexico without informing its authorities. The situation further escalated when the US Department of Justice indicted ten Mexican officials, including Rubén Rocha, governor of Sinaloa and member of the Morena party, alleging connections to drug trafficking. These developments prompted Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum to reaffirm calls for respect of Mexican sovereignty.

Arturo Sarukhan, former Mexican ambassador to Washington, characterised the era as “the worst moment in Mexico-US ties in modern history,” citing Trump’s approach of employing Mexico as a “political-electoral piñata,” vilifying immigrants, and threatening unilateral military action. These policies have tarnished the image of the US as a “land of the free,” particularly given the harsh crackdown on immigration.

For many Mexican immigrants, the American dream has become elusive. Luis Roberto García, who emigrated to the US in 2006 and built a life working in Austin, Texas, was recently detained and deported. Reflecting on his experience, García described the promise of opportunity as steadily vanishing. His story is emblematic of a broader shift that has left many questioning the future of US-Mexico relations and the ideals that have long defined America’s global standing.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.