Bad Walls Make Bad Neighbors
When Hurricane Katrina devastated the Gulf Coast in 2005, the United States received aid from its nearest neighbor, Mexico, in the form of ships, rescue teams, and 200 troops who provided water, medical supplies, and meals to residents from an outpost just outside San Antonio. There was no request or obligation, nor was there much fanfare- it was simply a neighboring country helping those in need.
So, twelve years later, when Hurricane Harvey overwhelmed Houston- and with Hurricane Irma heading for Florida and Hurricanes Katia and Jose not far behind- Mexico extended an offer to help once more. Their condolences and assistance both went unacknowledged. So when Katia hit Mexico just after an unexpected 8.1 earthquake rocked most of Mexico’s southern states- and when the US stayed as silent about those tragedies as it had about Mexico’s generous offer- the Mexican government publicly rescinded its offer, redirecting its resources toward its own needs.
To say that Mexico’s offer went unanswered isn’t entirely accurate: Texas Governor Greg Abbott both thanked the Mexican government for their offer and expressed sympathies for Mexico’s own losses, as did a number of other state and local officials across the United States. But none of these officials were in a position to accept- or politely decline- Mexico’s assistance. That task belongs to the President, who instead chose to take to Twitter to continue attacking Mexico in a tone-deaf and disconnected continuation of his crusade against our southern neighbor by repeating his calls to build a border wall. His response to Mexico’s compassion was beyond indifference; it was outright hostility.
While this may seem to be a mere continuation of the same antagonistic relationship we’ve watched play out since the current president was still on the campaign trail, this particular scenario is troubling because the implications are far beyond a few insults and threats- this isn’t about abstract policies, but about immediate aid to those in dire and deadly situations.
It’s also about a broader capacity for aid and compassion- countries need to know that, should there be a devastating event that leaves them in dire need, they can rely on their allies to step in if needed. Mexico, being one of the United States’ closest allies (both geographically and politically), serves a key role in that sense of reassurance and security.
We are already seeing the impact of the current administration’s isolationist attitudes on our relationships with our allies. While Mexico offered both solace and support, most nations stayed comparatively silent about the recent storms and their impacts compared to their responses to Hurricane Katrina. We have already pushed many global leaders to a point in which they no longer feel a response will be appreciated, and have opted to instead leave us be. After watching the recent exchange play out with Mexico, it’s hard to imagine any nation will be motivated to help the United States in the immediate future; even in the most tragic of circumstances, leaders will certainly hesitate to do what was once natural and neighborly.
Perhaps there are those who have recognized that this behavior puts us in a vulnerable position as well, and that our professed desire to withdraw into ourselves means we lose the benefits of our relationships along with the obligations we are so ready to shirk. Following the Mexican Foreign Ministry’s official statement rescinding aid, long-absent Secretary of State Rex Tillerson called Foreign Minister Luis Videgaray to belatedly express condolences and offer assistance to Mexico. But the damage has already been done, the offer for aid to the United States has already been redirected to Mexico’s needs, and America’s priorities have been exposed. The current administration has already metaphorically erected the promised wall, keeping out even those with the best of intentions. And it’s at the detriment of our citizens who are in need of aid regardless of whose flag is attached to it.
Sources:
Snopes: http://www.snopes.com/mexico-sent-troops-to-u-s-to-help-after-hurricane-katrina/
Axios: https://www.axios.com/fewer-countries-offer-aid-after-harvey-than-after-katrina-2484073702.html
LA Times: http://www.latimes.com/world/mexico-americas/la-fg-mexico-aid-20170911-story.html
Image: http://abcnews.go.com/US/700-miles-fencing-us-mexico-border-exist/story?id=45045054