Mexican president asks US to send $20B to Latin America, legalize migrants
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[LAUREN TAYLOR]
IMMIGRATION, TRADE, AND THE FENTANYL CRISIS ARE KEY FOCUSES IN MEXICAN PRESIDENT ANDRÉS MANUEL LÓPEZ OBRADOR’S LAST 6 MONTHS IN OFFICE. IN AN INTERVIEW WITH CBS’ 60 MINUTES – LÓPEZ OBRADOR DISCUSSES HIS CONTINUING INFLUENCE ON THE FUTURE OF US-MEXICO RELATIONS.
AFTER A RECORD-BREAKING INFLUX OF 250-THOUSAND MIGRANTS AT THE US SOUTHERN BORDER, PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN REACHED OUT TO LÓPEZ OBRADOR FOR ASSISTANCE. THEIR COOPERATION LED TO A SIGNIFICANT 50-percent DECREASE IN MIGRANT CROSSINGS. HOWEVER, HE SAYS THE FLOW OF MIGRANTS WILL CONTINUE IF THE US DOESN’T FIX THE ROOT CAUSES.
PRESIDENT ANDRÉS MANUEL LÓPEZ OBRADOR
MEXICO
“We were more careful about our southern border. We spoke with the presidents of Central America, with the president of Venezuela and with the president of Cuba. We asked them for help in curbing the flow of migrants. However, that is a short term solution, not a long term one.”
[LAUREN TAYLOR]
LÓPEZ OBRADOR’S FIX INCLUDES SENDING $20 BILLION A YEAR TO LATIN AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN TO ADDRESS MIGRATION CAUSES, LIFT SANCTIONS ON VENEZUELA AND END THE CUBAN EMBARGO. HE ALSO INSISTS ON LEGALIZING LAW-ABIDING MEXICANS LIVING IN THE US.
LÓPEZ OBRADOR’S DISCUSSED HIS INTERACTIONS WITH US PRESIDENTS TRUMP AND BIDEN. DESPITE TRUMP’S CLAIMS ABOUT BUILDING A WALL, LOPEZ OBRADOR BELIEVES SUCH MEASURES ARE INEFFECTIVE AND EMPHASIZED THE MUTUAL BENEFITS OFCOOPERATION THROUGH AGREEMENTS LIKE THE UNITED STATES-MEXICO-CANADA AGREEMENT, A TRADE PACT SPEARHEADED BY THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION TO REPLACE NAFTA.
HIS APPROACH TO REDUCING VIOLENCE IN MEXICO INCLUDES DISBANDING THE FEDERAL POLICE AND ESTABLISHING A NATIONAL GUARD FOR PUBLIC SECURITY. HE ALSO INVESTED MILLIONS IN JOB CREATION FOR YOUTH, AIMING TO REDUCE CARTEL INFLUENCE. SINCE THESE CHANGES, THE MEXICAN GOVERNMENT REPORTS A NEARLY 20% DECREASE IN HOMICIDES.
HE CREDITS HIS POPULARITY TO HIS GOVERNMENT’S EMPHASIS ON SOCIAL PROGRAMS AND FIGHTING CORRUPTION, DESPITE TRANSPARENCY INTERNATIONAL NOTING NO PROGRESS IN MEXICO’S CORRUPTION.
ACCORDING TO CBS LÓPEZ OBRADOR PLANS TO RETIRE FROM POLITICS AFTER HIS TERM. THE COUNTRY’S ELECTIONS TAKE PLACE IN JUNE AND HIS PROTEGEE—CLAUDIA SHEINBAUM—ALREADY HOLDS A SIGNIFICANT LEAD IN THE RACES