Relations With Spain Will Change/Meeting With Kerry
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Relations With Spain Will Change/Meeting With Kerry

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Paloma Duran By Paloma Duran | Journalist and Industry Analyst - Thu, 02/10/2022 - 10:09

AMLO will not break ties with Spain. President Andrés Manuel López Obrador explained that when he said that there would be a break in the relationship with Spain, he did not mean the relationship would end but that it would change. In addition, López Obrador emphasized that the Mexican government is still waiting for an apology from Spain for the damage it has caused over the years. "I did not speak of a breakup. I said we are going to calm down the relationship so that we are no longer thinking that Mexico is going to be looted with impunity ... There is no breakup. It is just saying let’s go slow."

Yesterday, López Obrador announced that the Mexican government "would take a break" in its relationship with Spain, since he considers that the country has taken advantage of Mexicans and their resources since colonial times. López Obrador said that it is not just the matter of Spain apologizing for its conquest of Mexico but of making sure Spanish companies operate in accordance with Mexican laws. The Head of Spanish diplomacy, José Manuel Albares, said the statements had surprised the Spanish government but that no statement would be made or measures taken until the Mexican government officially informs Spain about its intentions.

AMLO defends CFE. López Obrador stressed that he had defended CFE in a meeting with US climate envoy John Kerry and highlighted the importance of strengthening the state-owned entity. “We reiterate that the strengthening of CFE is to guarantee a low (electricity) price for Mexicans. We support clean energy but I also believe that we should strengthen what we already have. We are convinced that it is in everyone's interest that CFE is not weakened.”

Yesterday, Kerry met with López Obrador at the National Palace to discuss efforts to combat climate change and potentially reach an agreement in certain areas. After the meeting, Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrad denied that the US had complained about the energy reform and stressed that both nations agreed on the importance of energy security. Kerry emphasized that he wants to work with Mexico and Canada so that North America can lead the world with new technologies.

Pensions for former employees of Luz y Fuerza del Centro. Director of the Institute for Returning Stolen Goods to the People Ernesto Pietro announced that the government had reached an agreement to deliver the pensions owed to the former workers of Luz y Fuerza del Centro. Leader of the Union of Mexican Electricians Rosendo Flores thanked López Obrador for his help in achieving social justice and said that “today is a glorious day because we have finally reached the end of a constant struggle for what is fair. We will have a fair retirement. Thanks to the government for giving us justice, dignity and hope.”

When the company Luz y Fuerza del Centro went under in 2009, 45,000 workers were fired and 9,000 workers were left without a retirement pension. The government emphasized that it is necessary to pay what corresponds to retirees because it is a matter of social justice. For this reason, it was announced that those who worked for a minimum of 19 and a half years in the company would be compensated. They should submit documentation and withdraw their claims at the Federal Board of Conciliation and Arbitration. So far, 8,892 former employees will be compensated with payments between MX$3,200 (US$156.55) and MX$67,000 (US$3,277.83), with an average of MX$12,500 (US$613) per month.

AMLO: PEMEX union leader was elected by the people. López Obrador said that although many did not like the result of the PEMEX union election, it was how the majority decided to vote. In addition, López Obrador said that the objective of the elections was to avoid undemocratic practices in the unions and that with this new exercise a new era was beginning. We are in a stage of transformation. Some did not like the result of the election but it was the workers who decided. There was no corruption in them. I firmly believe in what Miguel Hidalgo and President Benito Juárez used to say a lot, that the people who want to be free will be free. I think we are on the right path.”

On Feb. 1, around 90,000 PEMEX workers voted in the first direct election of the union. Ricardo Aldana, treasurer of the union for more than 25 years, was pronounced the winner after receiving 52,000 votes. However, the result caused a great deal of controversy as Aldana had previously been accused and criticized for his links to corruption. MORENA Sen. Cecilia Margarita Sánchez said the elections were not democratic and that Aldana's victory was meant to retain control of the union. She added that the outcome would be appealed. For its part, the government has said that the union elections were not fabricated to keep people in power but to make changes if necessary. In addition, the government pointed out that in other union elections different groups have won, meaning the exercise does work.

Click HERE for full transcript in Spanish

Photo by:   Gobierno de México

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