Since when did we start being piñatas?

I have no idea. The truth is that there are embarrassing episodes, the recent ones between Peña Nieto and López Obrador, who placed themselves at the mercy of President Donald Trump. There are also very dignified episodes, at least a couple of them in the Capitol where leaders spoke with complete propriety.

President Claudia Sheinbaum stated a few days ago that: "In our relationship with the United States, Mexico is no one's piñata."

"Let them focus on talking about their country, which has enough problems. Let them not use Mexico as a campaign site, because Mexico gives the United States a run for its money in many ways. In values, in ethics, in development, in many ways."

As you can see, the piñata allegory comes from the president, she was the one who used the term.

But while we're on the subject, it's worth mentioning that for many years, Mexico has been tied to the fate and timing of the United States. Not to go any further, during the Morena era in the federal government, each year begins with the risk of economic collapse. It doesn't happen because exports and remittances have prevented it, in addition to the strength of the North American economy.

President Salinas de Gortari had the vision of the Free Trade Agreement, managed to convince Bush Sr. to join forces with Canada, and from that moment on, a process of development began for small and medium-sized businesses that formed alliances with partners. Large firms set up their factories to take advantage of the proximity to the US market, a trend that has continued to grow. For some years now, Mexico has been the United States' largest or second-largest trading partner.

When President Bill Clinton was president, after the December blunder, while throwing out a $50 billion lifeline, he gave a prescription, stating that Mexico should develop its domestic market.

That's precisely what we haven't fully understood. Fox floated the idea of ​​supporting small businesses; it wasn't a bad idea, but it didn't stick.

These have been the ups and downs of the relationship with the major power, which has some 30 million people of Mexican descent or ancestry within its territory, some 12 million of whom are undocumented. These groups generate remittances, which last year totaled more than $65 billion, sent by Mexico's best workers, not by heroes; this is a farce, even an insult to those who migrated due to lack of opportunities or insecurity in their communities.

Just for the record: Do you know how many times López Obrador or Sheinbaum have met with Mexican communities in the United States? Zero. One more thing: Do you know how long it's been since there's been a State meeting? 25 years.

The president hasn't met with Trump in four months, a period during which the president met with Canada's two prime ministers and with leaders from various countries, including several from across the continent. With Sheinbaum, he only had phone calls...

The piñata thing came from Claudia Sheinbaum's mouth. It's up to her and her weekend speeches, which, so far, have not been responded to by Trump or his officials. Perhaps it will be a different story now that they have an acting ambassador.

The truth is that Mexico has everything it needs to compete head-to-head with the big players, to provide better living conditions for its inhabitants, and to achieve ideal development and growth levels. But this requires planning, leadership, talent, investment, and, above all, ensuring that drug trafficking and migration, in all their forms, cease to be central issues. All of this is achievable, but with those currently in charge, it's neither visible nor felt.