Trump’s Latin American relations face backlash

Latin American leaders react strongly to Trump’s deportation policies and border tariffs, signaling tensions with the new administration.

Claudia Sheinbaum, president of Mexico, speaks at an event in Zócalo Plaza, Mexico City, on January 12, 2025. Photo by Stephania Corpi/Bloomberg/Getty Images

By Nada Fadiyah and Clarisa Sendy

In the weeks leading up to his inauguration, President Donald Trump’s promises of sweeping deportations and a militarized border sparked tensions with Latin American leaders, marking a dramatic shift in U.S.-Latin America relations. Trump’s inflammatory rhetoric and policy proposals prompted several countries, including Mexico, Honduras, and Panama, to respond with defiance, setting the stage for a tumultuous diplomatic period.

As Trump was sworn in on Monday, his inauguration was met not only with the usual congratulatory messages but also with sharp rebukes from Latin American leaders. Trump’s rhetoric had already made waves, with accusations against Mexico of allowing drug cartels to flood the U.S. with fentanyl and claims about China’s influence over the Panama Canal. These statements, along with his threats to impose tariffs on both Mexico and Canada, left many Latin American countries bracing for the potential fallout.

One of the most vocal responses came from Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, who expressed strong opposition to Trump’s immigration policies. In her daily morning conference, Sheinbaum reaffirmed Mexico’s pride and sovereignty, declaring that the country should no longer feel inferior to the United States. She also sought to reassure Mexican nationals living in the U.S., especially those without legal status, urging them to remain calm and reassuring them of their importance to the U.S. economy.

Asylum seekers wait for their CBP One appointments with U.S. authorities before crossing at El Chaparral port in Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico, on January 20, 2025. Photo by Guillermo Arias/AFP/Getty Images

Mexico is home to the largest group of undocumented immigrants in the U.S., with approximately four million Mexican nationals living there without authorization as of 2022, according to Pew Research Center data. Despite Trump’s threats to implement massive deportations, Sheinbaum emphasized that Mexico would not support the reinstatement of the “Remain in Mexico” policy, which under Trump’s first presidency required asylum seekers to stay in Mexico while awaiting court hearings. Human rights groups criticized this policy for exposing migrants to extortion and violence from cartels.

Mexico’s foreign minister, Juan Ramón de la Fuente, also weighed in, stating that while the U.S. could unilaterally impose such policies, Mexico was not legally bound to process asylum requests for the U.S. without negotiation. This strong stance signals Mexico’s determination to push back against Trump’s aggressive deportation agenda.

Other Latin American countries also voiced their concerns about Trump’s deportation plans. Honduran Deputy Foreign Minister Tony García stated that his country, along with several neighboring nations, would not accept mass deportations without first negotiating the process. García emphasized that deportation flights should not be unilateral and must be coordinated between the two governments.

Honduras, which is home to an estimated 525,000 unauthorized immigrants in the U.S., has seen more than half a million deportees arrive from the U.S. over the past decade. While García confirmed that Honduras would continue receiving deportees, he stressed that the deportation process must be mutually agreed upon and coordinated.

Panama also pushed back against Trump’s assertions regarding Chinese control over the Panama Canal. Trump had repeatedly claimed that China had taken control of the Canal, demanding that the U.S. intervene to reclaim it. However, Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino firmly rejected these claims, stating that the Panama Canal remained under full Panamanian control.

The Liberian-flagged Hallasan Explorer LPG tanker transits the Panama Canal in Panama on January 20, 2025. Photo by Arnulfo Franco/AFP/Getty Images

Despite this denial, the Panamanian comptroller’s office initiated an audit of Panama Ports Company, a major port operator linked to Hong Kong-based conglomerate Hutchison Ports, which operates the country’s largest port concession. This move came after Trump’s controversial remarks but does not suggest a shift in Panama’s stance on the canal.

El Salvador, which has close ties with Trump through President Nayib Bukele, took a more reserved approach. While Bukele did not attend the inauguration, Salvadoran senior official Cindy Portal indicated that the country would not push back against deportations as long as individuals had not committed crimes in the U.S. She emphasized that the government’s message to Salvadorans was one of patience, reassuring them that those without criminal records would have nothing to fear under Trump’s immigration policies.

El Salvador is home to around 750,000 unauthorized immigrants in the U.S., making it one of the countries most affected by Trump’s deportation rhetoric. Portal’s comments reflect a more pragmatic approach, aiming to maintain favorable relations with the U.S. while avoiding direct confrontation over deportation policies.

In addition to the backlash over deportations, Trump’s tariff threats also stirred up concern among U.S. allies in the region. On the first day of his second term, Trump announced plans to impose 25 percent tariffs on Mexico and Canada, accusing both countries of allowing undocumented immigration and fentanyl into the U.S. Mexico has not yet officially responded to the tariffs, but Canadian Finance Minister Dominic LeBlanc expressed strong opposition, warning that such actions would be a mistake.

LeBlanc emphasized that Canada was prepared to respond to these tariffs if they were enacted, signaling a potential trade conflict between the U.S. and its closest neighbors. These tariff threats add a layer of economic tension to the already strained diplomatic relations between the U.S. and its southern neighbors.

Countries such as Cuba, Nicaragua, and Venezuela, which have been subject to U.S. sanctions, responded in various ways to Trump’s return to office. Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel denounced the U.S. designation of Cuba as a state sponsor of terrorism and condemned Trump’s economic sanctions, which he claimed had worsened shortages and increased migration from Cuba.

In Nicaragua, the government remained silent following Trump’s inauguration, while Venezuela’s interior minister offered a polite message wishing Trump “the best.” These responses reflect the tense and often hostile relationship these countries have with the U.S., particularly under the Trump administration’s sanctions and foreign policies.

Mexicans and migrants protest by burning a piñata outside the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City, Mexico, on January 20, 2025, in opposition to Donald Trump's inauguration as president of the United States. Photo by Gerardo Vieyra/Nur/Getty Images

The inauguration of President Trump and his swift implementation of executive orders related to immigration and tariffs signal a new, more confrontational era in U.S.-Latin American relations. Leaders from across the region have expressed strong opposition to his policies, particularly those involving mass deportations and the militarization of the border.

As the U.S. prepares to implement these controversial measures, Latin American countries are making it clear that they will not submit to U.S. demands without negotiation. The coming months will likely see continued tensions as both sides navigate this new phase of diplomacy, with Latin American countries standing firm in defense of their sovereignty and the rights of their citizens.

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