LatinNews Daily - 03 June 2021 |
MEXICO: López Obrador reiterates accusations of US political interference |
On 2 June Mexico’s President Andrés Manuel López Obrador again accused the US government of financing local organisations that he says are opposed to his government. Analysis: The López Obrador government has already sent a formal diplomatic protest note to the US complaining about this and demanding an explanation, which has yet to receive any response. By raising the issue again López Obrador may be trying to shore up support for the ruling Movimiento Regeneración Nacional (Morena) party ahead of the 6 June midterm federal legislative, state, and municipal elections. But coming just days ahead of an official visit by US Vice President Kamala Harris to Mexico, the accusations could become a source of diplomatic tensions and raise US concerns about democracy in Mexico.
Looking Ahead: Harris is due to arrive in Mexico on 7 June. López Obrador has said that he does not intend to address this issue with her because it is not part of the set agenda. But she may decide to broach the matter herself and remind López Obrador of the US’s commitment to consolidating democracy around the world by supporting civil society groups that hold their governments to account. |