Mexican Consulates Influence U.S. Elections, Part 1

Mexican consulates in the U.S. are reportedly involved in efforts to influence American elections to serve Mexico’s interests, according to investigative journalist Peter Schweitzer in his new book. The Mexican government operates over 50 consulates across the U.S., collaborating actively with political advisors to sway domestic politics. Their aim is to mobilize both legal and illegal immigrants as political allies.

Schweitzer points out that around a million textbooks are sent annually to schools in the U.S., presenting a Mexican perspective on U.S. history. There are also courses offered to Mexican-American adults, though, he contends, these aren’t designed to help them assimilate into American culture.

Additionally, Schweitzer highlights the significant protests organized by the Mexican consulates against anti-immigration policies in the U.S. For instance, in 2007, massive protests involved hundreds of thousands of people marching with flags from various Latin American countries. They made statements claiming a right to citizenship regardless of U.S. laws, chanting things like “Today we march, tomorrow we vote.” Estimates suggest that between 3.5 and 5 million participants took part in these demonstrations across numerous cities, which rattled many Americans. However, some noted it as a well-coordinated effort against a restrictive view of citizenship, leading to the defeat of a bill that would have criminalized illegal immigration.

During one such protest in Los Angeles, Mexican television reporter Alberto Tinoco observed the public’s rallying against American political sovereignty. He remarked to viewers in Mexico that this was clear evidence of Los Angeles no longer being America’s.

Furthermore, former Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador (AMLO) made appearances in U.S. cities in 2017, aiming to rally Mexican immigrants against President Trump’s stringent immigration policies, which he argued were not in the best interests of drug cartels. This was deemed a significant move, as AMLO even suggested transforming consulates into immigration advocacy offices, posing a direct challenge to U.S. immigration efforts.

According to Schweitzer, AMLO’s actions weren’t just limited to legal support for immigration issues; he was actively seeking to change the electoral landscape in the U.S. It’s unusual for a leader of a foreign nation to engage so openly in the political sphere of the U.S., especially one that isn’t in conflict with America.

Schweitzer’s book, The Invisible Coup: How American Elites and Foreign Powers Use Immigration as a Weapon, is set to be released on January 20th by HarperCollins.