Politician · person

Enrique Peña Nieto on Barack Obama

Close strategic partner (strong)

TL;DR

Enrique Peña Nieto viewed President Obama as a steadfast friend and committed partner, deepening bilateral cooperation across many fronts.

Key Points

Peña Nieto commended President Obama for being a committed partner and a friend to the Mexican people during a November 2016 phone call.
The leaders worked to institutionalize cooperation through mechanisms like the High-Level Economic Dialogue, which was agreed to become permanent.
Peña Nieto praised the work done on immigration reform, stating there was a 'very big majority of Mexican citizens' who would benefit from the executive action in January 2015.

Summary

Enrique Peña Nieto consistently viewed President Barack Obama as a crucial ally and a "steadfast friend of the Mexican people and a committed partner" throughout his term, emphasizing a strong, mutually beneficial partnership between the two nations. This positive appraisal was evident in joint statements where the leaders celebrated deepening economic relations, collaboration on combating organized crime, managing migration, and strengthening the rule of law. The relationship was characterized by institutionalizing cooperation mechanisms, such as the High-Level Economic Dialogue, which aimed to ensure advancements endured beyond the administrations.

Throughout their time, the two presidents worked to solidify this strategic alliance, focusing on shared interests in regional competitiveness, security, and global challenges like climate change. For instance, Peña Nieto praised Obama's administration for its decisive support for migrants, including the Mexican population in the U.S., and both leaders committed to bolstering trade and educational exchanges. Even when discussing contentious issues like the U.S. electoral process, Peña Nieto maintained a position of respect for the American democratic process and pledged constructive collaboration with whoever was elected, underscoring the enduring nature of the U.S.-Mexico relationship over any single political figure.

Key Quotes

President Obama has said it already: We have to work together, and we have to reinforce the efforts done so far to fight organized crime and specifically drug trafficking: specifically, those who produce and traffic heroin.

Remarks Following a Meeting With President Enrique Peña Nieto of Mexico in Ottawa, Canada June 29, 2016

The executive action for immigration ... is of course an act of justice for people who arrive from other parts of the world but are now part of the U.S. community.

Meeting at the White House January 6, 2015

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Enrique Peña Nieto's position on Obama?

Enrique Peña Nieto consistently held a positive and collaborative view of President Obama, describing him as a friend and a committed partner to Mexico. His position centered on deepening the strategic relationship through continuous high-level dialogue and concrete cooperation agreements on economic and security matters.

Did Peña Nieto and Obama work together on security issues?

Yes, the two presidents emphasized their strong cooperation on security, particularly in combating organized crime and drug trafficking, including the heroin trade. They agreed on the shared responsibility to fight criminal groups that disregarded both nations' borders.

What did Peña Nieto say about the U.S. relationship under Obama?

The former Mexican President stated that the relationship with the U.S. under Obama was going through 'one of its best moments and stages in the history between our two countries.' He stressed that the bond transcended mere government relations, being built upon ties between the two peoples.