Meeting with Teachers’ Unions / Honoring Victims, Health Workers

Meeting with teachers’ unions. The Ministry of Public Education (SEP) will meet with both teachers’ unions CNTE and SNTE to discuss the new school year that starts in three weeks, President López Obrador said. “I am going to ask Secretary of Education Esteban Moctezuma to agree on a meeting with CNTE and SNTE and to reach a consensus,” he said. After unveiling on Monday a TV-based 2020-2021 school year in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, the president said no one will be affected by the federal plan since the idea is to let students resume their education without affecting teachers’ salaries and benefits.

Tribute for COVID-19 victims, health workers. The federal administration will propose that COVID-19 victims and medical staff be honored on a regular basis, President López Obrador announced. “A permanent tribute will be maintained, both to remember those who lost their lives and to support their families, and also to thank nurses, doctors and all health personnel who won’t give up,” he said. A minute of silence followed by applause at noon will be proposed in all armed forces facilities nationwide.

Mexico will have COVID-19 vaccine. President López Obrador said Mexico will have no problems accessing a certified COVID-19 vaccine when it becomes available. “There is communication with several companies and governments. We are not going to have problems getting a certified COVID-19 vaccine,” he said and explained that beyond having the necessary funds to buy it, the achievement was making sure Mexico was included among countries with guaranteed access.

Hydrocarbons looting in Sinaloa. Minister of National Defense (SEDENA) Luis Cresencio Sandoval reported that Culiacan, Mazatlan and Ahome concentrate 74 percent of the population and the greatest presence of crime among Sinaloa’s 18 municipalities, including hydrocarbons theft, with over 93 illegal tappings found so far. During the daily briefing held in Culiacan, President López noted that he has a good relationship with Sinaloa Gov. Quirino Ordaz.

Not communist, but humanist. President López Obrador said he is not a communist as a top member of the Mexican church has said, since helping the poor only makes him a humanist. He noted that his ideas are shared by most doctrines and highlighted that Pope Francis is someone who is very close to his mindset.

Condolences for Lebanon. President López Obrador reiterated his support for Lebanon after yesterday´s explosion in that country’s capital, Beirut. “Our condolences to the Lebanese nation. It was a regrettable accident,” he said.

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Click HERE for full transcript in Spanish