Vice President Mike Pence will attend the inauguration of Mexico’s new president in December, an early signal of how the two administrations will get along, according to some experts.
Pence’s visit is diplomatic protocol, but it does dispel some myths about how the Trump administration views — or doesn’t view — incoming President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, says Alexander Aviña, a historian at Arizona State University.
“I think this demonstrates, one: he’s not the anti-Trump because Pence will be there,” Aviña said. “And two: he’s not a leftist firebrand, or else the U.S. wouldn’t be there.”
Lopez Obrador has taken positions on immigration and drugs that contrast with U.S. policy. Aviña said one area to watch will be whether Lopez Obrador follows through on promises to deescalate the drug war.
“The only question I have, or fear, is how the Trump administration is going to react to that,” Aviña said.
Lopez Obrador will be inaugurated on Dec. 1.
