Mexico’s former President AMLO condemns US interventionism

Mexico’s former President Andrés Manuel López Obrador accused the US government of employing interventionist practices to undermine the ruling Morena party and bolster Mexico’s right-wing opposition. In a statement posted on social media and his website, López Obrador argued that US actions—such as a CIA-led drug lab raid in Chihuahua and extradition requests for officials like Sinaloa Governor Rubén Rocha Moya—were politically motivated rather than driven by genuine concerns over migration or narcoterrorism. López Obrador’s remarks followed President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo’s recent speech, where she questioned whether US involvement stemmed from a legitimate interest in combating crime or from political maneuvering ahead of the 2026 US elections. Sheinbaum also highlighted alleged million-dollar social media campaigns targeting her government, framing the interference as part of a broader strategy to destabilize Mexico. The former president claimed that some US officials aim to reinstate a ‘submissive, corrupt, and mafioso’ government in Mexico, echoing tactics used in past interventions. He accused the Trump administration of exploiting Mexico as a scapegoat for domestic issues, particularly in the lead-up to the 2024 US elections, using ‘Hitlerian propaganda’ to repeat false narratives. López Obrador contrasted Trump’s first term with his second, asserting that relations improved during his presidency, including the signing of the USMCA trade deal and Trump’s willingness to avoid designating drug traffickers as terrorists. He noted that Trump initially avoided criticizing Mexicans or pushing for a border wall, suggesting a shift in approach. The former president also referenced the fabricated DEA case against General Salvador Cienfuegos, alleging it was an act of retaliation against the Mexican military. López Obrador emphasized that by the end of his term, trust between the US and Mexico had strengthened, countering claims of ongoing interference. His intervention underscores tensions between the two nations as Mexico prepares for its 2027 elections, with López Obrador framing US actions as an attempt to reshape Mexico’s political landscape.