New Slogan Wins Award for Stating the Obvious
Mexico’s government has unveiled a bold new nationalist slogan: “Mexico for the Mexicans,” a phrase so self-evident it won immediate recognition in the prestigious “No Kidding” category of political messaging. The slogan represents a groundbreaking achievement in stating the obvious while pretending it’s a revolutionary concept. Next up: “Water is Wet” and “Mondays Come After Sundays.”
President and political officials have embraced the slogan with the enthusiasm usually reserved for actual policy achievements. “This represents a new era of sovereignty,” declared one government minister who somehow said this with a straight face. The fact that Mexico has been, technically speaking, for Mexicans since its independence in 1810 was not addressed during the announcement. Historical accuracy takes a backseat when you’ve got a catchy slogan that polls well.
Political analysts are divided on whether “Mexico for the Mexicans” is brilliant messaging or just words arranged in their most logical order. Some argue it taps into nationalist sentiment and pride, while others suggest it’s the geopolitical equivalent of announcing “this sandwich contains bread.” Both interpretations are probably correct, which is perfect for a slogan designed to mean everything and nothing simultaneously.
The rollout of the slogan has included billboards, television spots, and social media campaigns featuring proud Mexicans doing Mexican things in Mexico, which is apparently newsworthy in 2025. The subtext seems to be “we live here and this is our country,” a message that would be more revolutionary if it weren’t describing the basic definition of citizenship. But nuance is dead and slogans are forever, so here we are.
Opposition parties have struggled to criticize a slogan that is, technically, completely accurate. “Well, yes, obviously Mexico is for Mexicans,” explained one opposition leader trying to find purchase on the world’s most slippery political statement. “But also, what does that even mean in practice?” The answer, naturally, is whatever the government wants it to mean at any given moment. It’s the Swiss Army knife of political rhetoricvague enough to be useless, specific enough to sound meaningful.
International reactions have ranged from confusion to amusement to that specific type of diplomatic politeness reserved for when someone says something weird but technically unobjectionable. The United States responded with “America for the Americans,” momentarily forgetting that phrase has some awkward historical baggage. Canada considered “Canada for Canadians” before realizing they’d just be joining a very unimpressive party. Everyone’s just making their own versions now, and it’s all equally meaningless.
The slogan has inspired merchandise ranging from t-shirts to coffee mugs, all proudly declaring a geographical and demographic fact as if it’s a controversial position that requires public affirmation. People are literally paying money to wear statements like “France for the French” and “Italy for the Italians,” which represents either the triumph of marketing or the heat death of meaningful political discourse. Possibly both. Definitely both.
Critics suggest that nationalist slogans like “Mexico for the Mexicans” can be dog whistles for exclusionary policies, which is a valid concern dressed up in a phrase so bland it could be anything. That’s the genius of obviousnessit means whatever you want it to mean. Are we talking about sovereignty? Economic policy? Immigration? Cultural identity? Yes, no, maybe, all of the above. It’s like a political Rorschach test administered by someone who didn’t read the manual.
As “Mexico for the Mexicans” becomes embedded in the national discourse, one thing is certain: we’ve reached the point where countries need slogans to remind people that they exist in places. What’s next? “The Sky Is Up”? “Tuesday Follows Monday”? “Water Is Required for Life”? The bar for political messaging has been lowered so far it’s technically underground, and we’re all just accepting this as normal. Mexico for the Mexicans: because apparently that needed to be said out loud, repeatedly, with graphic design.
SOURCE: Bohiney.com (https://bohiney.com/mexico-for-the-mexicans/)
