Trump’s attacks revive debate over Mexico’s identity
Original reporting: El Financiero
What happened
El Financiero columnist Salvador Camarena examines Trump’s portrayal of Mexico, Sheinbaum’s response and the domestic actors shaping the country’s identity.
Reporting and context
El Financiero columnist Salvador Camarena asks who gets to define Mexico as President Donald Trump renews his attacks on the country. The column says Trump’s rhetoric, including his portrayal of Mexico as a nation governed by cartels, should prompt a debate about how Mexico describes itself and how much influence Washington has over that identity.
According to El Financiero, Trump has framed Mexico as a threat since his first presidential campaign more than a decade ago, while President Claudia Sheinbaum has responded with nationalist arguments and by separating practical bilateral cooperation from the public exchange of attacks. Camarena writes that Mexico is not a narco-state or a narco-government, but does have powerful cartels, a dysfunctional state, and politicians linked to criminals.
El Financiero reported that the column also looks ahead to the November U.S. elections and questions whether a legislative defeat could make Trump more aggressive on issues such as migration, jobs and drugs. The piece is commentary, not an independent finding about cartel control of Mexico. Original publication: https://www.elfinanciero.com.mx/opinion/salvador-camarena/2026/09/24/quien-nos-define