Obama and Mexico

Barack Obama will soon turn his attention to filling key U.S. ambassadorships for trouble spots around the globe. We urge him to put Mexico high on that list.

This is not a part of the world with which the president-elect has shown much fluency or even much interest. As far as we know, Obama has never been south of the border — or even to the border. Still, Obama is a quick study. He is obviously smart enough to realize that this is a critical time for U.S.-Mexico relations, and that the United States needs an ambassador to Mexico with the skills to strengthen the marriage.

The union is currently strained by horrendous violence from organized crime and drug cartels. Since Mexican President Felipe Calder—n began taking on the cartels by applying the force of the entire Mexican government, and since the cartels began fighting back by murdering soldiers and police officers and terrorizing cities and towns, it's become clear to people on both sides of the border that this epic struggle has the power to define Mexico - or destroy it.

One person who understands that is Tony Garza, the outgoing U.S. ambassador to Mexico. A native of Brownsville, Texas, Garza led the political fight for the Merida Initiative, a $400 million U.S. aid package to the Calder—n government to help fight the drug lords.

He also wasn't afraid to dish out straight talk to Mexican officials, and the Mexican press, on a host of touchy subjects.

That includes immigration reform. Before Garza presented his credentials to former Mexican President Vicente Fox in November 2002, the Mexican people didn't understand why the United States made border security such a top priority. Hopefully, because of Garza's advocacy, they understand a little better now.

Recently, Garza spoke about his experience and what the last six years taught him about U.S.-Mexico relations and how to improve them. He is optimistic about the state of the Mexican economy and the strength of its democracy, and he is convinced that Calder—n will win his war with the drug dealers. Garza thinks Obama is sending signals that he understands the importance of the relationship, and that he is prepared to pick a quality person to replace him.

Whomever Obama chooses should have direct access to the White House, a good working relationship with Secretary of State-designate Hillary Clinton, a firm grasp on the historical and present-day relationship between the United States and Mexico, diplomatic skills to earn the trust and confidence of Mexican officials, and the courage to continue both the fight against the drug cartels in Mexico and the legislative battle to secure immigration reform at home. That's a tall order, and we can't wait to see whom Obama has in mind to fill it.

REPRINTED FROM THE SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE.

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