Decision on Armed Forces / Life Insurance for Health Workers

Defends armed forces decision. President López Obrador said he will defend the incorporation of the armed forces into public security tasks because he does not want the National Guard to fail like the Federal Police did. “We need discipline, professionalism. We need the Navy and Army to face the problem of insecurity and violence. I say this quite frankly: I do not want the National Guard to end up like the Federal Police, a resounding failure,” he said. The president denied that this decision implies militarization by decree on security since this possibility was approved when the National Guard was created. The president also said there has been a major change in how the armed forces handle human rights. “Every day, I am on the lookout to ensure there are no abuses, no massacres and no violations of human rights,” he said.

AMIS provides life insurance for health workers. Mexican Association of Insurance Institutions (AMIS) head Sofía Belmar announced that all frontline health personnel attending COVID-19 cases would receive free life insurance, benefiting 1.6 million health workers, from doctors, residents and nurses to interns, assistants and janitors. The compensation will total MX$50,00 for beneficiaries. Minister of Finance (SHCP) Arturo Herrera said the insurance is retroactive to April 1 and will be valid until Aug. 31.

Planning a tour. President López Obrador said that when specialists allow it, he will seek to catch up on visits to several locations, starting with the Mayan Train construction locations and including the Dos Bocas refinery. “I want to drop the starting flag for the Mayan Train works. I want to go to Chiapas, Tabasco, Campeche, Yucatan and Quintana Roo. There are already signed contracts. Imagine working over 800 kilometers. That’s a lot of jobs,” he said.

150,000 loans delivered. President López Obrador defended the pace at which his administration is delivering the MX$25,000 loans to formal and informal companies, a plan that aims to reach 3 million beneficiaries and has reported a low registration rate so far. “About 15 days ago, we started delivering the loans and we have already given around 150,000,” he said.

Decision on deputy ministries still pending. President López Obrador said that the 10 deputy ministries that will close under the austerity plan announced on April 22 have not yet been decided. “Employees from these deputy ministries will be given the chance to work elsewhere. We want to make the operation of the government lighter,” he said.

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Click HERE for full transcript in Spanish