Mexican President López Obrador's attempts to position Mexico as a diplomatic leader in Latin America have been hindered by his nostalgic leftist rhetoric, resulting in diplomatic disputes with Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia. His criticism of conservative governments and support for a former Ecuadorian official have escalated tensions, while his lack of interest in foreign policy and limited international engagement have left him trailing behind other regional leaders like Brazil's Lula da Silva. Despite his rhetoric, López Obrador has prioritized maintaining Mexico's relationship with the United States, particularly on migration issues.
Tens of thousands of protesters gathered in Mexico City's Zocalo Square to oppose proposed electoral changes ahead of the upcoming presidential elections, with the opposition accusing President Andrés Manuel López Obrador of attempting to weaken the National Electoral Institute (INE). López Obrador claims the INE is biased and corrupt and is advocating for a reform to reduce its staff and save taxpayers money. Protesters are demanding the independence of the INE and expressing opposition to the government, while López Obrador is supporting former Mexico City Mayor Claudia Sheinbaum in the upcoming elections.
President Joe Biden and President Andrés Manuel López Obrador of Mexico discussed challenges at the shared border and reaffirmed their commitment to a productive partnership, with President Biden expressing appreciation for Mexico's support in deterring irregular migration. They also agreed to continue close cooperation in countering transnational criminal organizations and improving the lives of Americans and Mexicans.
President Joe Biden and President Andrés Manuel López Obrador of Mexico discussed the need for additional enforcement actions to manage migratory flows and reopen key ports of entry along the shared border. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas, and White House Homeland Security Advisor Liz Sherwood-Randall will travel to Mexico to meet with President López Obrador and discuss further actions to address current border challenges.
The death toll from Hurricane Otis in Acapulco, Mexico, has risen to 39, with 10 people still missing. President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador accused his critics of exaggerating the scale of the disaster and exploiting the situation for political gain. Looting continues, and residents in hard-hit neighborhoods are struggling to find food and water, criticizing the government for not providing sufficient aid. The government reported that over 220,000 homes and 80% of the hotel sector have been affected, with more than 513,000 people losing power. The cost of the devastation is estimated to be in the billions of dollars.
Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador defended his decision to move cargo from Mexico City's principal airport, stating that operations at the airport are "very risky" due to operating at 150% of its capacity. The government-mandated flight cuts, set to take effect in January, have been criticized by industry groups and will also impact the usage tax collected from passengers. The move comes after the president scrapped the construction of an unfinished airport upon his election. Ratings agency Fitch recently revised the outlook of the trust managing the airport's outstanding bonds to negative, citing concerns about maintenance and passenger congestion.
Mexico's President Andrés Manuel López Obrador is seeking a recount of the number of missing people in the country, claiming that the official tally of 100,000 is much higher than the actual number. However, this move has sparked backlash from families of the disappeared and human rights advocates, who fear that the president is trying to artificially lower the numbers ahead of an election year. The head of the government commission responsible for the official count abruptly resigned, raising concerns about the future of Mexico's search for the disappeared. This controversy adds to a series of human rights issues faced by López Obrador's administration, including the unresolved cases of mass disappearances and the government's struggle to combat drug trafficking and violence.
Mexico's President Andrés Manuel López Obrador questioned why he isn't considered a victim of gender violence when a woman criticizes him, despite strict political regulations in Mexico that forbid questioning someone's competence based on their gender. López Obrador had been ordered to stop suggesting that opposition presidential hopeful Xochitl Gálvez was a puppet manipulated by powerful men, which was deemed as "gender violence" by an electoral court. However, López Obrador and his feminist wife raised concerns about the fairness of the ruling, despite the fact that Gálvez had never criticized him based on his gender. Critics argue that López Obrador lacks an understanding of gender violence.
Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador has broken with tradition by openly campaigning against opposition front-runner Xóchitl Gálvez for the 2024 presidential elections. While it may not be technically illegal at this stage, López Obrador's criticism of Gálvez's potential candidacy could violate constitutional rules on the use of government resources for or against politicians. This is not the first time López Obrador has faced criticism for his involvement in electoral campaigns, but he appears undeterred by potential consequences.
Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador has broken with tradition by openly campaigning against opposition front-runner Xóchitl Gálvez for the 2024 presidential elections. While it may not be technically illegal at this stage, López Obrador's criticism of Gálvez's potential candidacy goes against the longstanding practice of Mexican presidents staying out of the race to succeed them. This behavior has drawn criticism and legal challenges, as it violates rules prohibiting the use of government resources in campaigns. Gálvez, a senator and former indigenous affairs official, has accused López Obrador of using government funds and social media accounts to attack her.
