AMLO’s Tour in South America / Patria Vaccine

AMLO Visits Colombia and Chile. The Ministry of the Interior, Luisa Maria Alcalde, announced that President Andrés Manuel López Obrador has returned to Mexico from his tour in South America. "President Andrés Manuel López Obrador participated in the activities for the 50th anniversary of the coup d'état in Chile. Likewise, the Santiago commitment was subscribed along with other presidents to defend democracy."

The president first visited Colombia, where he proposed changing strategies to deal with drugs and migration. He called on governments to strengthen the countryside and replace drug crops with corn, beans, fruits, among others, to continue creating jobs. Later, López Obrador visited Chile, where he and the Chilean President Gabriel Boric agreed to update the free trade agreement between the two countries, signed in 1999. 

Cuban Doctors. IMSS Director Zoé Robledo announced that there are 806 Cuban doctors working in the country. "It has been an extraordinary experience because Cuban doctors are saving the lives of Mexicans."

López Obrador has been widely criticized for hiring Cuban doctors to work in Mexico’s marginalized areas, so the government announced that it would create employment positions for Mexican doctors. Previously, López Obrador reported that the country had a deficit of 50,000 doctors, a problem exacerbated in rural areas as Mexican medical professionals seek to study and work in larger cities. The president said that, sometimes, Mexican doctors even refuse to move to rural areas. Meanwhile, medical and professional organizations in Mexico have claimed that López Obrador's initiative discriminates against Mexican doctors because they already compete in an oversaturated job market.

Patria Vaccine. Health Minister Jorge Alcocer announced that the Patria COVID-19 vaccine will be available for purchase in October. "The Patria vaccine passed its Phase 3 clinical studies. It is now up to the National Council of Science and Technology (CONACYT) to announce when and how many doses will be in production."

Mexico developed its own vaccine against COVID-19 called "Patria," which has proven effective in protecting against the virus and as a booster for those who already have a complete vaccination scheme. Patria was created by the Mexican government, CONACYT and Laboratorios Avimex. The vaccine has been approved following three phases of clinical trials. One in animals, the second in humans and the third to determine its effectiveness in generating antibodies.