After spending almost 4 years as United States Ambassador to Mexico, Ken Salazar is back. He has come back to a country in turmoil.
In my travels to Mexico, I have had numerous opportunities to view Salazar in the Mexican media. Even in the eyes of Mexican cameras and commentators, Salazar maintained his image and demeanor as a down to earth leader expressing a profile we know so well.
As always, the hat he wears was very much in evidence during his official work that took him around the country. His use of excellent Spanish in his exchanges with the press endeared many who saw that gesture as a sign of solidarity.
You would think that the institutional chaos caused in large part by the recently elected Trump and his administration would be something new for the returning American political leader. But looking closely at his experience in Mexico would tell most people that the dynamics are similar to the process of change brought to the country under the last two Mexican Presidents.
In the case of Mexico, the movement to restructure the constitutional framework of its government represents a more profound change than anything we can imagine. At times, it must have made life very difficult for the Ambassador as he navigated our foreign policy in this atmosphere.
Indications of this were very much part of press clippings produced by the Mexican media. Not so in the U.S., as the Mexican story of change seemed to be a second hand issue.
The American press, especially the New York Times commentary, appeared to be more focused on attacking the Mexican leadership solely because of its politics. Also in the mix are the allegations trying to connect the government to the drug cartels.
I felt I had a ring-side seat with regard to the Mexican drama created by constitutional change, especially in still current efforts to completely redo the judicial system portion of the Constitution. Ambassador Salazar found himself so involved in the give and take on the matter that his pronouncements on behalf of the U.S. government, several times, formed a major part of the daily press assembly discussions conducted by the Mexican President.
This is to say that Ken Salazar is not a stranger to political conflict and has the experience to help lead our country out of its fragmented condition and rapidly becoming more chaotic. There will come a time when someone has to lead us in picking up the pieces of what used to be greatness.
So far, the 21st Century has been a time of turbulence that has threatened the very existence of our nation. First it was 9/11 followed by the Great Recession, an extreme right-wing extra-legal populism, COVID and the destabilizing attacks on our institutions.
Leadership to combat these shortcomings have had some success, but in the end, disunity continues to be the case at the same time that a growing isolationism is propelling an American withdrawal from the world stage. It is almost like turning over the leadership of the globe to the Chinese without a fight.
Giving up is not in the American creed. The energy that created a great nation is still there.
What we need is the right kind of leader from a community that is still thinking of being part of a better future in a great country. While others have been playing politics that community has been working hard and prospering.
Ken Salazar is a boon for America. The question is: Is America ready for him?
The views expressed by David Conde are not necessarily the views of LaVozColorado. Comments and responses may be directed to News@lavozcolorado.com.
