North American Summit/Cuitláhuac García

Summit of North American Leaders. López Obrador referred to the meeting scheduled for Jan. 9 with North American leaders, following the last summit held in Washington in November 2021. Back then, discussions focused on the COVID-19 pandemic, migration and USMCA. The president said that he will ask for the economic integration of the continent at the meeting, which will welcome US President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. 

Moreover, López Obrador pointed out that Mexico is doing well thanks to USMCA, among other things. For that reason, the president will push for the Americas to become a commercial and economic bloc to create a united front like the EU. 

The Summit is commonly known as the meeting of the “three friends” and is normally organized yearly. Last year, however, was the first edition since 2016, after the four years of Donald Trump’s mandate. 

“Exceptional work” from Cuitláhuac García. President López Obrador recognized Cuitláhuac García Jiménez’s work as Governor of Veracruz, qualifying the governor’s administration as exceptional. Moreover, he said that nothing hurt Veracruz more than the dishonesty of its previous leaders. “Now they have a good leader: an honest man that helps a lot. A good government depends on honesty,” he added. 

AMLO minimizes opposition’s complaints. President López Obrador said he is not worried about the complaint presented by PRD and PAN against him. Moreover, he challenged the opposition to show proof and lodge a complaint for allegedly forcing people to attend his march last Sunday, Nov. 27, in Mexico City. 

Legislators of the opposition accused López Obrador and other officials before INE of different malpractices carried out during the march of Nov. 27. Minister of the Interior Adán Augusto López, Minister of Foreign Affairs Marcelo Ebrard and Mexico City Mayor Claudia Sheinbaum are also being accused of participating in these illegalities. 

The opposition is accusing MORENA politicians of using public resources to promote the march and to bribe people with food to attend the march, as well as threatening people with losing their job lest they attend the march. The complaint was accompanied by photos and videos sent by citizens through social media which prove the existence of illicit activities in the realization of the event. 

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