Synopsis
On Feb 3, member nations of a Latin American coalition voiced their support for Mexico, condemning what they call 'slander and interference' from the United States regarding drug cartel allegations. They emphasized the need for cooperation and respect for international law.Key Takeaways
- Latin American bloc supports Mexico.
- Rejection of US accusations against Sheinbaum.
- Focus on cooperation over conflict.
- Condemnation of foreign interference.
- Call for accountability from the US.
Caracas, Feb 3 (NationPress) Member nations of a Latin American coalition have conveyed their support for Mexico while denouncing what they term slander and interference from the United States.
Claims from Washington asserting that Mexico's administration, headed by President Claudia Sheinbaum, is involved with drug cartels are baseless, stated the Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of Our America-People's Trade Treaty (ALBA-TCP).
"They aim to criminalize Mexico, ignoring the historical accountability of the US government in the violence and drug trafficking crisis that plagues our region," the bloc, based in Caracas, Venezuela, remarked.
"The US serves as the primary source of high-powered weaponry for criminal organizations, which, along with its careless health policies and the recklessness of pharmaceutical firms, continues to take countless lives annually," the bloc further noted.
It reiterated its backing for the Mexican government's initiatives to tackle organized crime, along with its commitment to security and justice.
"Unilateral actions and measures that breach international law are intolerable," it emphasized.
On Saturday, US President Donald Trump alleged that the Mexican government has connections with criminal groups, a statement that Sheinbaum refuted by emphasizing her government’s efforts against drug trafficking and crime.
Trump also declared a 25 percent tariff on Mexican imports. In retaliation, Sheinbaum announced counter-tariffs on American products, heightening trade tensions between the two countries.
Rejecting the White House's assertions that her administration has links to criminal groups, Sheinbaum attributed the issue to US arms dealers supplying weapons to these illicit organizations.
"If any partnerships exist, they lie within the US weaponry sector, which sells high-powered firearms to these criminal entities, as confirmed by the US Department of Justice in January of this year," she affirmed.
Sheinbaum firmly stated that Mexico will not tolerate any foreign interference. "We categorically dismiss the White House's unfounded accusations that the Mexican government is associated with criminal organizations, alongside any attempts to meddle in our national affairs," she declared.
Emphasizing the significance of diplomacy, Sheinbaum highlighted Mexico's preference for cooperation over conflict.
