Proposals for New Ambassadors/ No Impunity for Officials

No date yet for Kamala Harris visit. President Andrés Manuel López Obrador said that there is still no date for US Vice President Kamala Harris’ visit to Mexico to discuss immigration issues since Harris has to review her agenda. However, López Obrador said that she is welcome to the country at any time. López Obrador explained that when he spoke with Harris, he invited her to visit Chiapas, Tabasco and Campeche, to learn more about his social programs, such as “Sowing Life.” According to López Obrador, the program can be replicated in Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador with the support of Mexico and the US. “Fruit and timber trees are planted; this helps the environment a lot and involves our people. If you have a job in a safe community, there is no longer a need to migrate. This is an option, an alternative,” said López Obrador.

Ambassador of Mexico in the US to improve the attention for migrants. López Obrador announced that the Mexican ambassador to the US, Esteban Moctezuma, will seek to improve the attention migrants receive at the 50 consulates in the country. “Let them become facts, because in practice it is another situation. Let them become defense attorneys. I am satisfied with the work of the consuls. With the pandemic they have been helping the relatives of the victims of COVID-19, and they are also vaccinating. I will ask Esteban to do more to improve the service, ”said López Obrador.

AMLO will send several proposals for ambassadors to Congress. López Obrador announced that Jesús Seade, former Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of North America, will be proposed as ambassador to China because of his good reputation. Five months ago, Seade announced his retirement and received the Miguel Hidalgo award for his participation in the renegotiation of the USMCA. López Obrador added that other proposals for ambassadors will be sent to Congress for approval. "We seek a balance in the appointment of ambassadors: Blanca Jiménez will represent Mexico in France, Lilia Rossbach will be our ambassador in Argentina and, Jesús Seade, in the People's Republic of China." López Obrador added that these appointments are for Mexicans with great preparation and with a vocation to defend and protect Mexicans around the world.

There is no impunity for abusive officials. López Obrador asked the Attorney General's Office to report on the arrest of 30 members of the Ministry of the Navy who have been accused of kidnapping in Tamaulipas, because there will be no impunity for those who violate human rights. López Obrador explained that this situation occurred during the previous government and that the Office of the Attorney General issued arrest warrants, which led to 29 arrests in three days. The last one was captured in Morelos. They are awaiting trial. López Obrador said that there is a completely different attitude in the Navy and SEDENA, since previous administrations allowed abuses. "Unleashing the war was the most absurd thing that was done, it caused a lot of damage because violence cannot be fought with violence, so we are going to continue and change the situation," said López Obrador.

No tolerance for officials who attack women. López Obrador said that officials who attack a woman cannot continue to work in the government. The comment came after a member of the National Guard physically assaulted his partner in Mexico City. “If someone attacks a woman and he is an official, he cannot work in the government. As simple as that, it is not just a legal issue, but a moral, ethical and human issue.” López Obrador said that his administration will continue to fight violence against women and that there will be no impunity for those who commit abuses or crimes.

Children should not be used for security actions. López Obrador said that although there are some fair reasons, children should not be used for security actions. López Obrador was responding after a video of minors being trained as community police officers in Guerrero went viral. López Obrador explained that these events are due to the lack of security and pointed out that the National Guard is already in Guerrero to help. "In Guerrero, there are self-defense groups that are legally permitted by community agreements, but in some cases, it was distorted, and now criminal groups also have self-defense groups," López Obrador said.

Click HERE for full transcript in Spanish