Mexican President claims
Mexico’s president says the country’s violent criminal gangs and drug cartels are essentially “respectful people” who “respect the citizenry” and mostly just kill each other
Mexico City — Mexico’s president stated Thursday that the country’s violent criminal groups and drug cartels are essentially “respectful people” who “respect the citizenry” and primarily kill one another. Mexican President claims
President Andrés Manuel López Obrador’s promises are clearly at variance with the reality for millions of Mexicans who live in drug cartel-controlled areas. The cartels often demand protection money from local inhabitants, and if they refuse, they are killed or kidnapped. Mexican President claims
A reporter questioned López Obrador if drug cartels behaved well during his visit to Badiraguato, Sinaloa, the homeland of imprisoned drug lord Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán, which he has controversially visited as president approximately a half dozen times. Mexican President claims
Always!” López Obrador responded, adding that “Sometimes we come upon people who are strange, but respectful.”
Continuing on the subject of drug cartels at his morning news briefing, López Obrador said “There is something people should know.
Fortunately, most attacks in this country take place between (criminal) factions,” the president stated. “They respect the citizenry.”
López Obrador has long failed to address the cartels, claiming that they were driven to criminality by a lack of opportunity. His “Hugs, not bullets” plan provides employment training programs for young people so they do not become cartel gunmen. Mexican President claims
In the past, he appeared to normalize the gangs’ existence by urging Mexicans to make peace treaties with the cartels.
However, claiming that cartels do not target ordinary folks raises the stakes. According to experts and rights groups, cartel violence and extortion have forced thousands of Mexicans to flee their homes, and hundreds of business owners, taxi and bus drivers have been assassinated for refusing to pay extortion.
The bodies of drug cartel victims are buried at secret locations around Mexico.
López Obrador’s words on Thursday came one week after he declared that he will not combat Mexican drug cartels on US orders. In what the president described as a “Mexico First” policy, he stated, “We will not act as policemen for any foreign government.” Mexico comes first. “Our home comes first.”
López Obrador has provided numerous arguments for his policy of avoiding clashes with the cartels throughout time. He has previously stated, “You cannot fight violence with violence,” and has claimed that the government must address “the causes” of drug cartel violence, citing poverty or a lack of chances.
López Obrador has also encouraged Catholic church officials to try to broker peace deals between rival gangs.
In 2022, he explained why he had instructed the army not to attack cartel gunmen, stating that “we also take care of the lives of the gang members, they are human beings.”
He has also looked to be dismissive of the violence situation. In June 2023, he warned of one drug gang that had abducted 14 police officers: “I’m going to tell on you to your fathers and grandfathers,” implying they should be spanked. Mexican President claims
When asked about those comments at the time, residents of one town in the western Mexican state of Michoacán, which has long been under drug cartel domination, reacted with scorn and incredulity. Mexican President claims
“He is making fun of us,” claimed one restaurant owner, who begged to remain anonymous because, like practically everyone else in town, he had long been required to pay protection money to the local cartel. Mexican President claims
López Obrador has also made it a point to visit the township of Badiraguato in Sinaloa state at least a half dozen times, pledging to return before leaving office in September. Mexican President claims
It’s also a perspective on prickly nationalism and independence. When asked in November why he had visited the thinly populated remote community so many times, López Obrador paraphrased a lyric from a defiant old drinking song: “because I want to. Mexican President claims
The president has also set stringent restrictions on U.S. agents operating in Mexico, limiting the amount of contact Mexican law enforcement can have with them.
