Barack Obama arrives in Mexico for a brief visit today, and my quick perusal of the local press turns up an op-ed he wrote for Mexico City’s El Universal (translation my own):

Too often, the United States has not sought or maintained relations with its neighbors. We’ve allowed ourselves to be distracted by other priorities, without realizing that our progress is directly linked to progress in the whole American continent. My government is committed to the promise of a new day. We will renew and maintain more extensive relationships between United States and the hemisphere, for the sake of our common prosperity and our common security.

Of course, the Mexican government would prefer that Obama practice what he preacheswhen it comes to being a good neighbor. And while our prosperity may be linked to a degree, Mexico is not poorer than the United States because of any policies of this country. Mr. Obama would help Mexico by calling them to speed the move toward transparency, respect for private property, and rule of law. Those changes will do more to move Mexicans out of poverty than any number of U.S. apologies.  (more)