ASIATODAY.ID, MEXICO CITY – Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador urged the United States (US) to stop all money transfers to the political opposition in his country, calling such actions interventionist.
In a letter distributed to US President Joe Biden, Sunday, August 19 2024, President Obrador, who will soon leave office, criticized the US Agency for International Development (USAID).
He criticized USAID for transferring millions of dollars to a nonprofit corruption watchdog and human rights agency that had documented alleged corruption during his administration.
“I am writing to inform you that, for some time, I have publicly denounced those who, from the United States Government, have maintained a decidedly interventionist stance,” the letter said.
The letter said the interventionist stance was particularly clear in financing some of the activities carried out by the self-proclaimed organization Mexicans Against Corruption and Impunity, whose main goal Lopez Obrador said was to attack his government. USAID transferred about US$5.9 million to the nonprofit in 2018-2023, according to Lopez Obrador. Lopez Obrador has repeatedly questioned the agency’s role in funding groups he considers hostile to his government including Mexicans Against Corruption and Impunity (MCCI).
The journalistic organization was founded by Claudio Xavier Gonzalez, a businessman and opponent of Lopez Obrador’s government. MCCI has collaborated in major investigations that have uncovered cases of corruption in the country over the years, such as the Odebretch case in 2014, when an investigation revealed that a Brazilian multinational had bribed a Mexican Senator to pass an energy reform law. With the arrival of Lopez Obrador to government in 2018, MCCI continues their investigative work now under the new presidential administration.
One of the main findings was the diversion of more than US$640 thousand during Lopez Obrador’s administration through the Mexican Food Security (Segalmex), the agency tasked with promoting food programs in the country. The alleged embezzlement involves various officials of Lopez Obrador’s administration and is the largest act of corruption recorded during his administration. While praising Biden, Lopez Obrador urged action against money transfers by USAID.
“Hopefully you can do something to stop these complaints that undermine our constitutional principles of non-intervention and self-determination of the people. Forgive me for dealing directly with you on this issue,” wrote Lopez Obrador.
“Believe that I respect you and do not want to bother you at all, but as you understand, issues related to people’s freedom and independence go beyond personal feelings,” he added. (AT Network)
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