Book Review 3: “Consular Diplomacy: A paradigm in the Mexico — U.S. relation” in Mexican Consular Diplomacy in Trump´s Era.

This post reviews chapter five of the book La Diplomacia Consular Mexicana en los tiempos de Trump (Mexican Consular Diplomacy in Trump´s Era).

In the chapter “Consular Diplomacy: A paradigm in the Mexico — U.S. relation” Ambassador Reyna Torres Mendivil writes that in recent years there has being a change in Mexico´s public discourse that recognizes consular activities as one of the critical elements of the country´s foreign policy.[i]

She explains that consular services form part of Mexico´s Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ main activities. It also gives examples such as the multiple bilateral consular groups that Mexico has and its active participation in multilateral fora like the Global Consular Forum or the Regional Conference on Migration.

By distinguishing the unique characteristics of Mexico´s Consular Diplomacy, Torres Mendivil aims to contribute to the evolution of the definition of the term.

She explains that the dividing lines between the diplomatic and consular activities have almost erased. The Ambassador revised the diplomatic functions of the Vienna Conventions on Diplomatic and Consular Relations and found out that of the 13 activities described for a consulate, three are similar to the ones of an Embassy.[ii] Then presents examples of the Mexican consulates´ diplomatic functions.[iii]

Torres Mendivil determines that Mexico´s Consular Diplomacy replicates, supports, and compliments at the local level the Embassy´s activities in Washington. And in some cases, these local collaborations later on become formal bilateral agreements.[iv]

The Ambassador explains that the need for protection and community empowerment pushed the consulates to build bridges with local authorities and even U.S. citizens and other non-traditional actors.[v]

In addition to the tripod or regular consular activities,[vi] Torres Mendivil includes a fourth element of the consular action plan: Public Diplomacy. Its objective is the promotion of the image of Mexico. This new dimension is what explains the development from traditional consular assistance into a full-swing Consular Diplomacy.[vii]

​Here is a diagram of this evolution:

The Ambassador explains how Mexico´s consular network implements the country´s Public Diplomacy. She gives different examples of foreign policy activities via Consular Diplomacy, including the collaboration with non-traditional actors such “as shelters for domestic violence victims, financial and credit organizations, and religious institutions of all denominations.”[i].

Every week, there is a consular presence in one or more media outlets, including scheduled radio and TV programs, where consular officers share relevant information to the Mexican community and the general public.

She explains that Mexico has exchange programs similar to those offered by the U.S. (International Visitor Leadership Program), Australia (International Media Visits), and Spain (Programa Internacional de Visitantes). The country developed the “Jornadas Informativas”[ii], also knowns as IME´s conferences, and organized the firsts visits to Mexico for Dreamers in 2014 and 2015. [iii]

Additionally, Torres Mendivil explains that the consular network makes enormous efforts to keep alive and visible traditional cultural celebrations. Even though it is hard to measure, she states that there was some influence by Mexico´s consular offices in the popularity of the Day of the Death in the U.S., that end up in the creation of the Disney movie “Coco”.[iv]

The political use of anti-immigrant sentiments is not new. It has compelled the consulates to be more strategic and resourceful to protect and empower the Mexican community in the U.S.

Ironically, the current administration heavy-handed anti-immigration actions have resulted in greater sympathies and a better understanding of the migrant community reality in the country.

At the end of the chapter, Ambassador Torres Mendivil proposes developing the consular network 2.0, which has to be visualized as a bilateral relationship at the local level (relación bilateral al nivel de cancha).[v] It will have to include outreach to multiple actors and local networks. In the end, this will result in a more positive image for Mexico and its diaspora. In the end, a solid consular diplomacy shields Mexico during challenging times, like the one we are living during the Trump administration.

The chapter details Mexico´s Consular Diplomacy, adding new characteristics. More importantly, it proposes some ideas for developing a definition of the term, considering the country´s experience and practice.

Torres Mendivil briefly mentioned a topic that has developed thru time, which is the popularity of the Day of the Dead in the United States and its implications for Public Diplomacy. I think it should be analyzed further. What do you think?

If we summarize the previous chapter by Ambassador Hernández Joseph together with the one written by Ambassador Torres Mendivil, three elements of Mexico´s Consular Diplomacy stand out:

• It is part of the country´s Public Diplomacy to improve the nation´s deteriorated image amongst the U.S. public.
• It focuses on the protection of Mexicans thru collaborations with local and state actors, including non-traditional ones.
• It has helped weathered the current anti-immigrant sentiment and policies in the U.S.

These elements could be used to further elaborate a definition of Consular Diplomacy from the perspective of Mexico´s practice.

In the next post, I will review chapter 6 of the book La Diplomacia Consular Mexicana en los tiempos de Trump titled “Mexican Comprehensive Consular Management in the United States. Its evolution for the service of the diaspora and its strategic objectives.”

[i] Torres Mendivil, Reyna, “Consular Diplomacy: A paradigm in the Mexico — U.S. relation” in La Diplomacia Consular Mexicana en los tiempos de Trump, 2018, p. 109.
[ii] Torres Mendivil, “Consular Diplomacy: A paradigm in the Mexico — U.S. relation”, p. 111.
[iii] Torres Mendivil, p. 113–115.
[iv] Torres Mendivil, p. 115.
[v] Ibid. p. 116.
[vi] For Mexico´s consular affairs, tripod or regular consular activities includes documentary services and consular protection for nationals, as well as community affairs activities organized under the umbrella of the Institute of Mexicans Abroad (IME).
[vii] Ibid. p. 117.
[i] Ibid. p. 119–120.
[ii] For a brief description in English of the Jornadas Informativas see ´Migrant-Focus Conferences` on page 19 of the paper Protection through Integration: The Mexican Government’s Efforts to Aid Migrants in the United States.
[iii] Ibid. p. 119.
[iv] Ibid. p. 120.
[v] Ibid. p. 123.

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