Guatemala City (AP) — Mexico’s President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador has begun a five-day tour to four Central American countries and Cuba by blaming the US government on Thursday.
Lopez Obrador swiftly criticized U.S. officials Send billions to UkraineTo Central America, while stumbling upon development assistance.
At the first stop in neighboring Guatemala, Lopez Obrador sought US assistance to stop poverty and unemployment sending tens of thousands of Guatemalans to the US border.Mexican leaders were angry that the United States rejected him A call to support the expansion of his tree-planting program To Central America.
“They are different and should not be compared clearly, but they have already approved $ 30 billion for the war in Ukraine while seeking a $ 4 billion donation from President Donald Trump. As of today, there is nothing. Absolutely nothing, “said Lopez Obrador.
“Honestly, that doesn’t seem to explain,” he added. “On our side, we will continue to respectfully insist on the need for the United States to cooperate.”
Lopez Obrador’s pet program, known as “Planting Life,” pays farmers a monthly salary and takes care of them by planting and caring for fruits and lumber on the farm.
Mexico has requested the US government to fund the program, but so far it has not happened. Mexico is also pitching another program that emulates young people in businesses. Critics say both programs lack accountability.
Mexico’s Foreign Secretary Marcelo Evrad said in his social media account that talks with Guatemalan President Alejandro Giammatei and other officials focused on development, migration and strengthening bilateral relations. wrote.
Evlad said Mexico has launched a tree program in Chimaltenango, Guatemala.
For Lopez Obrador, who likes to say that the best foreign policy is a good domestic policy, this is his third trip abroad in more than three years. This tour is an opportunity for Mexico to reaffirm its position as a leader in Latin America, with some leaders under pressure from the U.S. government and others allegedly prone to anti-democratic tendencies. Welcome to.
Geographically and figuratively, we find that Mexico is sandwiched between the United States and other Latin America.Lopez Obrador distracted criticisms dating back to the Trump administration that his government was doing dirty work in Washington. Trying to stop immigrants Before they reach the US border.
Lopez Obrador is partly accepted in Central America as a US messenger when it comes to immigration policy.
U.S. government is trying to build consensus ahead of June Los Angeles Summits of the Americas Strengthen the regional approach to managing the migration flow. In recent years, not only many Central Americans, but also Haitians, Cubans, Venezuelans, Colombians, and immigrants arriving from other continents have passed through the Americas.
This visit is an opportunity for Lopez Obrador to show his independence from the United States. Lopez Obrador said he criticized Cuba’s blockade of the US economy and told US authorities which countries should not be excluded from the Summits of the Americas. The Biden administration has suggested that Cuba, Venezuela and Nicaragua will not be invited.
Meanwhile, Jamatai is being called upon by the US government to retreat. Fight corruption — A campaign that is central to the image of Lopez Obrador in Mexico.
Lopez Obrador continues to El Salvador. El Salvador has faced international criticism since it was imposed by President Nayib Bukele. State of emergency after a surge in gang killings At the end of March.
A visit from Lopez Obrador, who prefers a “hug rather than bullet” approach to security, is an opportunity to show that he is not isolated. Security forces in El Salvador have arrested more than 24,000 gangsters in just one month, and human rights groups have stated that there have been many arbitrary arrests.
In Honduras New President Xiomara Castro We have built a close relationship with the Biden administration. Last month, Honduras handed over former President Juan Orlando Hernandez in the United States on suspicion of drugs and weapons. Castro is desperate to revitalize the economy and create jobs, so if there is money behind it, Lopez Obrador’s proposal can be accepted.
The president’s agenda at Belize is not very clear, but his last stop in Cuba is the most symbolic. Cuba’s President Miguel Diaz Cannell visited Mexico for last year’s independence celebration.
Lopez Obrador has ruled primarily as a nationalist and populist, but he has established himself as a politically devoted left.