Mexico's leader slams US offer to combat cartels

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
10 Mar 2023 15:38
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The plea for sending US troops was issued after four Americans were kidnapped in a northern border state.

Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador speaks during a news conference at the National Palace in Mexico City, Mexico March 7, 2023. (Reuters)

Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador slammed on Thursday US lawmakers who called for military action in Mexico to assist with government efforts in countering drug cartels.

President López Obrador stated that the proposal threatened Mexican sovereignty, noting that the country will not "permit any foreign government to intervene in our territory, much less than a government’s armed forces intervene."

The plea to send US troops was issued after four Americans got kidnapped in a Northern border state.

Two of the hostages were reportedly killed, while the remaining two are still kept as hostages. They were reportedly traveling from South Carolina to Mexico due to cheaper healthcare options, but sources state that they had a long history of possessing and distributing illegal substances.

Rep. Dan Crenshaw, R-Texas, published a Tweet in Spanish on Wednesday asking López Obrador why he opposes a proposal the congressman introduced in January to permit US troops to assist efforts in targeting drug cartels in Mexico.

"In addition to being irresponsible, it is an offense to the people of Mexico," López Obrador said during the news conference, adding that Mexico "does not take orders from anyone."

Guns made in the U.S. are being sent to Mexican cartels that use those American weapons to terrorize their communities and export fentanyl back into the U.S.

Yet another way that the unchecked proliferation of guns in this country is jeopardizing the safety of our communities. pic.twitter.com/wqvCt1NQNU
— Rep. Dan Goldman (@RepDanGoldman) March 8, 2023

During a Fox News interview aired on Monday, Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina said that it was time to "put Mexico on notice" and called for introducing legislation that would classify some Mexican drug cartels as "foreign terrorist groups."

On another note, the head of State further slammed statements issued by US Ambassador Ken Salazarthe for saying that the country was responsible for flooding the US with fentanyl.

"Here, we do not produce fentanyl, and we do not have consumption of fentanyl," López Obrador said. "Why don’t they (the United States) take care of their problem of social decay?"

López Obrador said he would launch a public information campaign aimed at informing Mexicans in the US about the true nature of the Republican-led proposal.

He warned that if Republican lawmakers try to "use Mexico for their propagandist, electoral and political purposes, we will make a call to not vote for that party."