Skip to main content

Mexican president denounces calls for US military to target drug cartels

 During a news conference on Thursday, Mexico's President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador rejected Republican-led calls for the US military to intervene to counter drug cartel violence in the country, adding Mexico "does not take orders from anyone". Such a move would violate Mexico's sovereignty, he further mentioned.

On Wednesday, Texas Republican Dan Crenshaw asked the Mexican president why he opposed a proposed legislation the congressman introduced in January, authorizing US military force to stem drug cartel violence in the neighboring country.

"The cartels are ... creating a crisis at our border and turning Mexico into a failed narco-state," Crenshaw mentioned in a statement on January 12 about the proposal.

In a Fox News interview on Monday, Republican Senator Lindsey Graham advocated putting forward legislation to classify some drug cartels in Mexico as "foreign terrorist groups", adding it was time to "put Mexico on notice".

A recent case involving the kidnapping of four Americans by heavily armed men and the subsequent murder of two has brought drug cartel violence in Mexico under renewed scrutiny in the US. A Mexican citizen was also killed in the incident, Tamaulipas Governor Americo Villarreal confirmed.

The four were driving through the Mexican border town of Matamoros, Tamaulipas, for a cosmetic surgery procedure to remove abdominal fat. Medical tourism is quite common among Americans residing in the US border states. Price and proximity have turned Mexico into a top medical tourism destination for US citizens who cannot afford healthcare in their country.

Matamoros is usually counted among the most dangerous cities in the country as large areas of the state are controlled by drug cartels, who might even yield greater power than local law enforcement.

In connection with the incident from last week, the Scorpions faction of the Gulf cartel apologized to the people involved, adding "we have decided to turn over those who were directly involved and responsible in the events," a letter obtained by The Associated Press news agency read.


Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

PM Modi Stresses Climate Finance and Technology at COP28 for Global South's Ambitions

 During the COP28 Presidency's session on Transforming Climate Finance, Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized the crucial role of climate finance and technology in realizing the aspirations of countries in the Global South, including India. Despite their limited contribution to climate change, these nations bear immense consequences, and PM Modi highlighted their unwavering commitment to climate action, despite resource constraints. Addressing the gathering, PM Modi stated, "We all know that countries in the Global South, including India, have played a lesser role in climate change. But the impact of climate change on them is immense. Despite a lack of resources, these countries are committed to climate action." He expressed the expectation of Global South nations for robust support from developed countries to combat climate change, considering the natural and justified need for assistance. PM Modi welcomed the decision to operationalize the Loss and Damage Fund, adopte
Post a Comment
Read more

Bangladesh Military Expresses Discontent Over Chinese Weapons; Reports 'Sub-Standard' and Faulty Parts

  Bangladesh, a traditional buyer of Chinese military equipment, has raised grievances with Beijing regarding the delivery of defective components and technical malfunctions in its imported military hardware. This issue is not unique to Bangladesh, as other nations like Myanmar have also encountered problems with Chinese fighter jets, according to an ET report. Experts in the Chinese defense industry argue that Beijing lacks the expertise to manufacture highly sophisticated military hardware and is not yet considered a top-tier producer of modern defense equipment. They claim that much of China's weapon systems are based on outdated technology copied from the West. Developing countries often opt for Chinese weapons due to their lower cost compared to similar systems from Western countries. China sells arms through state-run export organizations like the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC), NORINCO, and CVIC. Sources familiar with the matter told ET that the Bangladesh mil
Post a Comment
Read more

North Korea Celebrates 'New Era of a Space Power' after Satellite Launch

  In a significant development, North Korea recently celebrated what it termed a 'new era of a space power' following the successful launch of a satellite. The reclusive nation's space endeavors have long been a source of international concern and scrutiny, raising questions about its technological capabilities and intentions. This latest achievement has reignited debates and speculation about North Korea's space ambitions. The satellite launch, conducted by North Korea's space agency, comes amid a backdrop of geopolitical tensions and global attention on the Korean Peninsula. The state media hailed the event as a major milestone, highlighting the successful deployment of the satellite into orbit. However, it is important to note that the international community remains skeptical, with concerns over the dual-use nature of space technology that could potentially be applied to ballistic missile systems. North Korea's pursuit of space capabilities has been a conten
Post a Comment
Read more