A controversy erupted on Tuesday when US Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem alleged that Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum encouraged violent protests in Los Angeles. However, Sheinbaum has vehemently denied the claim, calling it “absolutely false” and backing up her assertion with publicly available evidence.
Noem’s comment, made during a press conference at the White House, sparked widespread debate on social media and Mexican news channels. The US official claimed that Sheinbaum had urged protesters to engage in further protests, which she condemned as encouraging violent behavior.
However, an examination of Sheinbaum’s public statements reveals that she has consistently condemned violence and called for peaceful demonstrations. In a press conference held in Los Angeles on Monday, the Mexican president said: “We are not in agreement with violent acts as a form of protest… The burning of patrol cars appears more like an act of provocation than of resistance.”
Sheinbaum also emphasized that her government supports the estimated 11 million Mexican immigrants in the US and rejects violence and raids as solutions to illegal immigration. In a statement posted on social media, she reiterated her support for dialogue and respect between nations.
The controversy comes at a sensitive time in US-Mexico relations, with tensions running high over issues such as immigration and border security. The incident highlights the complexities of international diplomacy and the need for accurate information and nuanced understanding.
Source: LA Times
