Andrés Manuel López Obrador reappeared in the public debate this Saturday to condemn the United States’ military intervention in Venezuela and the capture of President Nicolás Maduro. The former president of Mexico, who retired from political life in September 2014, released a message on his social media accounts, directly criticizing the actions of the U.S. government and making an explicit appeal to Donald Trump.
“I am retired from politics, but my libertarian convictions prevent me from remaining silent in the face of the arrogant attack on the sovereignty of the Venezuelan people and the kidnapping of their president. Neither Bolívar nor Lincoln would accept the United States government acting as a global tyranny.
President Trump: do not succumb to complacency or listen to the siren song. Tell the hawks to go to hell; you have the capacity to act with practical judgment. Do not forget that today’s fleeting victory can be tomorrow’s resounding defeat. Politics is not about imposition.
Remember that ‘respect for the rights of others is peace,’ as Benito Juárez taught us in the 19th century. I am Mexican with great pride, but also Latin American. I unconditionally support my president, Claudia Sheinbaum. For now, I am not sending her a hug,” the former president wrote.
This is the former president’s second public appearance since leaving office and retiring from politics. The first instance occurred just over a month ago, with the presentation of his book, Grandeza. This time, the crisis on the continent has led him to take a stand. López Obrador’s statements align with the position expressed by Mayor Claudia Sheinbaum. Following Trump’s announcement that Maduro had been “captured and taken out of Venezuela,” the Ministry of Foreign Affairs released a statement outlining Mexico’s official position. “Based on its foreign policy principles and its commitment to peace, Mexico urgently calls for respect for international law, as well as the principles and purposes of the UN Charter, and for an end to all acts of aggression against the Venezuelan government and people,” the Ministry stated.
Source: elpais
